Rik De Mil made one change to the team that swept away Eupen last week: Clinton Mata - back from suspension - took Denis Odoi's place at the right full-back position. Thanks to Antwerp's cup win, Blauw-Zwart was already assured of a European ticket before the match began. Club had obviously gained confidence last week and showed it from the opening minute. Club immediately grabbed Genk by the throat and created the first real chance: Skov Olsen played the ball back to Vanaken, but his shot was parried away by Vandevoordt.
It was a high-paced start of the match with Club being the dominant side and within the first ten minutes Club broke the deadlock. Again it was Skov Olsen who played the ball into the path of Vanaken, this time the captain sidefooted it into the far low corner - out of the goalkeeper's reach.
Club pushed for a second, but on a counterattacking move from the hosts Daniel Muñoz headed home the equalizer.
Blauw-Zwart remained the better side, but Genk created danger as well. Skov Olsen forced Vandevoordt into making a save, on the other side Paintsil saw his header chalked off for offside.
Club had most of the ball and created the most chances. Vanaken deviated Meijer's cross over the crossbar, Skov Olsen flashed a chance just wide and Rits headed a cross from the Dane over the target. For Genk, Trésor darted through Club's defence, but he aimed his effort too high and Samatta whizzed his effort wide.
Genk had more control after the break and scored with their first chance when Marc McKenzie headed in Trésor's corner kick. Mignolet was called upon to keep out El Khannouss' shot to keep Club in the game.
Blauw-Zwart had trouble finding space to hurt the home side, apart from a free-kick of Rits that flew over.
Halfway the second half Club got better in the game with an effort by Jutglà that was saved by Vandevoordt. The goalie also needed to keep out an attempt by Rits and Jutglà's header took a deflection on Muñoz. In between thoses chances Spileers needed a last-ditch tackle to neutralize a counter from the hosts.
Club had to take some risks in order to try and equalize, but it was Genk that looked like putting the game to bed when Paintsil scored on a cross by Trésor, but he had strayed offside and the goal was disallowed.
But it was just a matter of time for Genk, because seven minutes before the end Paintsil slotted home to give Genk a two-goal lead. Club tried to turn things aroudn but Vermant and Sandra's efforts were blocked and the latter skied his finish deep into stoppage time.
Club started the Champions' Play-Offs with a defeat and is now already eleven points behind the league leaders.
Champions’ Play-Offs – Matchday 1
Attendance: 23.000 – Cegeka Arena
Referee: Lawrence Visser
KRC Genk: Maarten Vandevoordt – Daniel Muñoz, Mujaid Sadick, Mark McKenzie, Gerardo Arteaga – Bryan Heynen, Bilal El Khannouss (72’ Yira Sor, 91’ Luca Oyen)), Patrik Hrošovský – Joseph Paintsil, Aly Samatta (91’ Tolu Arokodare), Mike Trésor (91’ Aziz Ouattara). Coach: Wouter Vrancken.
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet – Clinton Mata, Brandon Mechele, Jorne Spileers, Bjorn Meijer – Mats Rits (85’ Cisse Sandra), Raphaël Onyedika, Hans Vanaken - Andreas Skov Olsen (85’ Antonio Nusa), Ferran Jutglà (76’ Romeo Vermant), Noa Lang. Bench: Senne Lammens, Nick Shinton, Denis Odoi, Abakar Sylla, Kyriani Sabbe, Antonio Nusa, Chemsdine Talbi en Cisse Sandra. Coach: Rik De Mil.
Yellow cards: Skov Olsen, Muñoz, Onyedika, Lang, Heynen.
Red cards: none
Goals: 9’ Vanaken (0-1), 18’ Muñoz (1-1), 56’ McKenzie (2-1), 83’ Paintsil (3-1).
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