Club Brugge won 0-1 on the pitch of Oud-Heverlee Leuven. Ferran Jutglà crowned himself the match winner just before halftime, when the Catalan fired a long-distance shot into the net with some beauty. OHL was able to counter a few times, but in the end it was Club Brugge who failed to deepen the lead further. A pleasing victory for Blauw-Zwart!
Coach Ronny Deila started the first game after the international break the way he ended the Bruges city derby. Both Ferran Jutglà and Igor Thiago made their appearance in the starting line-up. In the back line, Jorne Spileers replaced the injured Joel Ordoñez. Maxim De Cuyper, already good for two goals and eight assists this season, was given preference over Bjorn Meijer. Casper Nielsen was also able to prove his starting place from minute one.
The first warning shot came from the Leuven side. Thorsteinsson fired an effort at Mignolet, but his shot whizzed wide. I can do that too, Vetlesen must have thought. The Norwegian midfielder surprised the defense with a quick shot, but the young goalkeeper was able to pick it off. With a crafty cross ball, Jutglà then tried to put Zinckernagel in front of goal. The pass was just a little too far for the Danish creative, who was briefly held at the shoulder.
Club continued to press. After a clever pass from De Cuyper, Zinckernagel dribbled free, but his finish splattered on the post. At the other end, Schrijvers ran into the deep with lightning speed. With a clever place ball, he forced Mignolet into a clever save. Just before halftime, Club pushed on in search of the opening goal. On a Buchanan pass, Thiago slid an open goal opportunity just wide. Moments later, the goal was scored. Searching for his right foot, Jutglà found a hole in the defense to connect. With a well-placed long-distance shot, the Catalan striker rattled the nets.
After halftime, Jutglà immediately had a chance to double the score. On a pass from Zinckernagel, the striker came just a little too late to wriggle in front of his man. Pletinckx just managed to throw himself in front of the leather. Moments later, Mechele headed a De Cuyper cross over. On the hour Thorsteinsson tested Mignolet once more. After cleverly getting himself free, he laid on, but Mignolet was able to catch his central shot. Moments later, the goalkeeper had to show yet again why he is a Golden Shoe laureate. After Buchanan choked on a through ball, Thorsteinsson stormed toward goal. With body and soul, he flew toward the Icelander, and was able to work in a corner kick.
Vanaken then put Thiago face-to-face with the goalkeeper. The Brazilian striker wanted to push past Leysen, but the Leuven goalkeeper still got the ball on his thigh. In the closing stages, Jutglà also appeared alone in front of goal, following a pass from Nielsen. With an ultimate reflex, the Leuven goalie whipped away the double lead. In the absolute end, OHL had another excellent chance with a shot by Braut Brunes. His effort kept Mignolet nailed to the ground, but eventually ended up wide.
Jupiler Pro League - Playday 15
Spectators: 10 000 - Den Dreef
Referee: Nathan Verboomen
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet - Tajon Buchanan, Jorne Spileers, Brandon Mechele, Maxim De Cuyper - Casper Nielsen, Hugo Vetlesen ('90 Balanta), Hans Vanaken, Philip Zinckernagel (70' Denis Odoi) - Igor Thiago, Ferran Jutglà. Bench Nordin Jackers, Dedryck Boyata, Denis Odoi, Raphael Onyedika, Eder Balanta, Andreas Skov Olsen, Michał Skóraś. Coach: Ronny Deila.
Oud-Heverlee Leuven: Tobe Leysen - Florian Miguel (75' N'Dri), Ewoud Pletinckx, Joël Schingtienne, Hamza Mendyl - Kento Misao ('88 Nsingi), Siebe Schrijvers, Richie Sagrado - Youssef Maziz ('57 Banzuzi), Jón Thorsteinsson, Nathaniel Opoku ('57 Braut Brunes). Coach: Oscar Garcia.
Yellow cards: Schingtienne, Miguel, Misao, Vanaken, Mendyl
Red cards: none
Goals: 45'+2' Ferran Jutglà