Club Brugge recorded a 1-0 victory against Sporting Charleroi on their own field. Blauw-Zwart gritted their teeth against the visiting defense for a long time, but on the hour Hans Vanaken scored the only goal of the match.
Compared to the topper of two weeks ago against Anderlecht, Bruges' starting line-up underwent four changes. At the back, Spileers and Siquet replaced Ordóñez and the injured Sabbe. In the central striker, Tresoldi was given preference over Vermant. In addition, Tzolis had to drop out due to illness, leaving Diakhon to start.
The Bruges players started the game eagerly and created danger early on: a shot by Tresoldi was saved by Koné, an attempt by Diakhon was blocked and a cross from Siquet went just wide via Keita. The ensuing corner kick was headed straight at Koné by Stanković. Charleroi did not dig in and were able to threaten themselves through Guiagon, who saw his shot go well wide.
Halfway through the first half, Tresoldi's shot from the turn went wide. Busy Diakhon had a good shot on the left, but his cross went wide via a defender. At the other end, Scheidler headed a corner kick over goal. Shortly before halftime, Mechele stepped up front and served Siquet, but the right back's shot sailed over goal.
Even after the break, Club did not immediately succeed in outplaying the visitors. The first danger did come from Stanković, but Koné could easily catch his effort. Charleroi, on the other hand, was more threatening and suddenly had a good chance through Guiagon. However, his shot was blocked by Mechele. The Red Devil was then also able to head away a cross from Bernier. Just at the moment that the Zebras manifested themselves more, Blauw-Zwart struck mercilessly: Seys put the ball in front of goal and there Hans Vanaken could tap in the 1-0.
Club remained in control: Siquet couldn't capitalize on a cross from Forbs and substitute Vermant aimed wide. Twenty minutes before time, the Brugge players got away well, when Mechele just managed to clear a deviation by Pflücke. Moments later, a hard shot by Forbs whizzed wide and Vermant missed the chance to decide the match: goalkeeper Koné gave the ball away, but the striker from Bruges hesitated too long and could not score.
The narrow lead meant that the game remained exciting in the closing stages. Koné could easily catch a shot by Sandra, but it was Charleroi that came the closest to a goal. In injury time, both Spileers and Onyedika had to sweep a ball off the line. Club held on and was able to win the game. It remains four points behind leader Union.
Jupiler Pro League - Playday 15
Spectators: 25,000 - Jan Breydelstadion
Referee: Simon Bourdeaud'hui
Club Brugge: Nordin Jackers - Hugo Siquet (87' Hugo Vetlesen), Jorne Spileers, Brandon Mechele, Joaquin Seys - Aleksandar Stanković, Raphael Onyedika, Hans Vanaken - Carlos Forbs, Nicolò Tresoldi (79' Cisse Sandra), Mamadou Diakhon (63' Romeo Vermant). Bench: Dani van den Heuvel, Argus Vanden Driessche, Zaid Romero, Joel Ordóñez, Gustaf Nilsson and Shandre Campbell. Coach: Nicky Hayen.
Sporting Charleroi: Mohamed Koné - Kevin Van Den Kerkhof (63' Lewin Blum), Aiham Ousou, Cheick Keita, Mardochee Nzita - Etienne Camara, Yacine Titraoui - Antoine Bernier (74' Yacine Khalifi), Patrick Pflücke (82' Antoine Colassin), Parfait Guiagon - Aurélien Scheidler. Coach: Rik De Mil
Yellow cards: Onyedika, Ousou, Vetlesen.
Red cards: none
Goal: 59' Vanaken (1-0).