Club Brugge started the return round with a win. In a quite enjoyable game, Blauw-Zwart had no problems with Standard and goals by Thiago before and Zinckernagel after halftime sealed the Rouches' fate.
Despite the large and not even exaggerated forfeit victory in Istanbul, coach Ronny Deila changed his team in three places. Casper Nielsen, who was absent due to illness, was replaced in midfield by Hans Vanaken, who had to miss the away game at Besiktas due to a suspension. At the back, Tajon Buchanan was given preference over Denis Odoi. As in Leuven, Ferran Jutglà was again allowed to start on the flank, sending Andreas Skov Olsen to the bench.
Like last Thursday, Club immediately took control of the game and crosses from Zinckernagel and Buchanan were initially deflected. In the third minute, the goal was scored when Thiago headed a Zinckernagel cross into the net from between two Liège players. A dream start for Blauw-Zwart that kept pressing the visitors on their own goal. Vanaken tried from the edge of the sixteen but his shot disappeared via a Liège foot into a corner. Then it was waiting until the 21st minute for another chance but under pressure from a Liège defender, the well-running Jutglà kicked a sharp cross from Zinckernagel wide of Bodart's goal in one time. It was the signal for the home side to press the gas pedal a bit more firmly again and after a fine action by Vanaken at the back line nobody followed to extend his cross into goal.
It wasn't until around the half-hour mark that Standard made their first appearance but Price's cross went past everyone. Blauw-Zwart couldn't keep up the high pressure of the opening period and the visitors were able to take advantage of this to get into the game a bit better but a shot from the turn of Kanga ended up in Mignolet's hands. After that, the first half was watered down, chances logically failed to materialize and both teams were allowed to seek warmer ground at 1-0 half-time.
