Club loses with the smallest of margins away against Kortrijk

Blauw-Zwart made the trip to KV Kortrijk's Guldensporen Stadium on matchday 11 in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League. Club dominated the match, but were caught out on the break on the 36th minute. Isaak Davies' goal was enough for the host to wrap up the three points.

Club were motivated to wash away the unfortunate defeat at Standard just before the international break. Coach Ronny Deila made some changes for the away fixture against Kortrijk by bringing on three new faces in the starting line-up. Ferran Jutglà and Philip Zinckernagel started on the bench and were replaced by Igor Thiago and Antonio Nusa. Tajon Buchanan was given the nod as well, instead of Dennis Odoi who was left out of the game squad.

Blauw-Zwart started the game lively and made its intentions clear right away with an early chance after just three minutes. Skov Olsen whipped in a cross towards Thiago, but the Brazilian forward smashed the cross against the post.

Halfway through the first half, Club convincingly monopolised the ball in the home team's half. Skov Olsen and Nusa in particular showed a lot of enthusiasm and after half an hour play, the latter found himself in an optimal position after a well played chance through the centre of the Kortrijk defence. However, his shot was tipped against the crossbar by Kortrijk's goalkeeper Vandenberghe. While Club were very much in control, it was Kortrijk that opened the scoring after a slip by Buchanan. Henen moved forward with the ball and teed up Isaak Davies, who sidefooted it past Mignolet to put the home side 1-0 up, which was also the half-time score.

The same scenario unfolded after the half-time break, with Club hogging possession and Kortrijk plugging the gaps in front of their own goal. Despite the offensive impulses by Nusa and Skov Olsen, Club had trouble to create many clear-cut chances because of Kortrijk's defensive approach. It took Club fifteen minutes to create a first good chance in the second half when Thiago's strike was blocked by a last-ditch tackle by Mampasi.

Deila intervened at that time by taking off Vetlesen, Nusa and Buchanan. The trio made way for Jutglà, Zinckernagel and Meijer. The latter was back with the team for the first time since the opening fixture of the season where he picked up his injury. The changed had a positive outcome for Deila's side when Marco Kana brought down Thiago inside the penalty area on minute 70, but Skov Olsen aimed the penalty kick over the crossbar.

Despite the miss, Club kept looking for the equalizer. Ten minutes before the end Onyedika forced Vandenberghe into making a good double save to keep his side in front. Five minutes later Vanaken tried his luck as well, but this time Malinov deflected the shot wide for a corner kick. Club kept the pressure high on the home side but that wasn't enough for the equalizer.