Club wins derby against Cercle 4-0

Club Brugge took a big 4-0 victory in the city derby against Cercle. Andreas Skov Olsen put Blauw-Zwart ahead on the stroke of half-time and around the hour the decision followed thanks to an owngoal by Marcelin and a goal by Nielsen. In the closing stages Roman Yaremchuk was able to crown his debut with the 4-0.

Carl Hoefkens opted for the same team that has been successful in recent weeks. New arrivals Raphael Onyedika and Roman Yaremchuk started on the bench. Blauw-Zwart took only 1 for 6 against Cercle last season and saw their neighbors start strong again. The first chance was for the visitors, but Sylla was able to block a shot by Van Der Bruggen. Cercle put high pressure and also engaged in fierce duels. Marcelin got away with a yellow card after a reckless tackle on Nielsen.

After another warning from Ueda, the Bruges engine quietly got going after fifteen minutes. First Skov Olsen was just unable to reach Jutglà and Vanaken, and moments later Nielsen picked out with a clever deviation behind the supporting leg, following a cross from Skov Olsen again. Goalkeeper Majecki, however, could easily save. Club was gaining momentum, but suffered a heavy thud shortly before the half-hour mark: Clinton Mata twisted his ankle and had to pull out with an injury. Raphael Onyedika was immediately allowed to make his debut, allowing Odoi to slide back a row and take Mata's place.

Ueda undertook another effort moments later, albeit without success. For Club, that was the signal to shift up a gear. After a good interception, Onyedika Skov was able to launch Olsen, but the Dane's shot stranded in the side netting. Moments later, a cross from Meijer was blocked, while a header from Jutglà went over goal. The 1-0 was in the air and came just before halftime. Nielsen snatched the ball off the left and served Jutglà. The Spaniard laid the ball well wide to Skov Olsen, who quickly passed his man and kicked the 1-0 cross.

In the second half, Blauw-Zwart went looking for the decision in full force. The first chance was for Meijer, but the Dutchman could not head in a cross from Skov Olsen. Moments later, Sowah just couldn't serve Jutglà. At the other end, Cercle also issued a warning, when a shot by Denkey went against the outside of the post. Yet it was Club that scored: after a sharp cross from Skov Olsen, Marcelin slid the ball into his own goal.

Blue-Black on roses thus, allowing Jutglà and Skov Olsen to go straight into the break. Roman Yaremchuk and Antonio Nusa were their replacements. A deviated shot by Meijer first went over, but halfway through the second half the final decision was made. Nusa continued at speed and played the ball back to Casper Nielsen, who kicked in the 3-0 from close range. Cercle tried to respond with Ravych, but his effort went over the goal.

In the closing stages, Club tried to save strength ahead of next Wednesday's Champions League match against Bayer Leverkusen. It did end up being 4-0 thanks to debutant Roman Yaremchuk. Vanaken served the Ukrainian, who outsmarted goalkeeper Majecki with a deviated shot. A big victory for Blauw-Zwart, which can start the championship with confidence.

Jupiler Pro League - Playday 7
Spectators: 28,000 - Jan Breydelstadion
Referee: Lawrence Visser
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet - Clinton Mata (29' Raphael Onyedika), Brandon Mechele, Abakar Sylla - Andreas Skov Olsen (62' Antonio Nusa), Casper Nielsen (76' Lynnt Audoor), Denis Odoi, Hans Vanaken, Bjorn Meijer (76' Dedryck Boyata) - Kamal Sowah, Ferran Jutglà (62' Roman Yaremchuk). Bench: Senne Lammens and Cisse Sandra. Coach: Carl Hoefkens.
Cercle Brugge: Radoslaw Majecki - Robbe Decostere (69' Heitor), Boris Popovic, Jean Marcelin (72' Christiaan Ravych), Louis Torres - Abu Francis (72' Jesper Daland), Leonardo Da Silva Lopes, Hannes Van der Bruggen (69' Yann Gboho), Dino Hotic - Ayase Ueda (80' Aske Sampers), Kevin Denkey. Coach: Dominik Thalhammer.
Yellow cards: Marcelin, Ueda, Jutglà.
Red cards: none
Goals: 44' Skov Olsen (1-0), 59' Marcelin (owngoal, 2-0), 67' Nielsen (3-0), 82' Yaremchuk (4-0).