Club beats Standard 2-0

Club shrugged of a period of frustration with a thumping 2-0 win over Standard de Liège. Ferran Jutglà and Bjorn Meijer got their name on the score sheet.

Rik De Mil changed Tuesday's starting eleven against Benfica in three places. In the heart of the defence Jorne Spileers replaced the suspended Brandon Mechele and Mats Rits played in midfield at the cost of Kamal Sowah. Up front Ferran Jutglà was given the nod. He forced Roman Yaremchuk on the bench.

After having played in a 4-3-3 formation the past few months, Club now presented itself in a 3-5-2 formation with Buchanan and Meijer on the wing, and Lang and Jutglà in front.

Blauw-Zwart started the game lively and had a few corner kicks early in the match, but it took an effort from Lang to put Standard goalkeeper Bodart to work. A few minutes later the visitors headed away Nielsen's cross before Vanaken could direct the ball towards goal. The best chance was for Bjorn Meijer, but he fired the ball over the bar. Lang failed to get his shot on target as well.

At the other end Mignolet wasn't troubled by Zinckernagel, while Laifis skied his finish.

It was end to end action, but it took thirty minutes before the match finally blew wide open. Lang lifted the ball over the defence towards Jutglà, but the striker couldn't keep the ball low enough. The visitors responded via Zinckernagel, but his shot was blocked by Mata.

Noa Lang had the best chance on the stroke of half-time when he was played in by Nielsen, but Lang hit the side-netting from a tight angle. Shortly after Nielsen's attempt had the same outcome.

The second half started with two shots that were blocked: Nielsen for Club and Dønnum for Standard. A few minutes later Balikwisha aimed the ball over the target. The best chance was for Blauw-Zwart. After a good attacking move Lang picked out Jutglà at the far post, but the Catalan was just too late to slide it in. Standard did not relent: Balikwisha forced Mignolet into making a save with a good header.

Club kept pushing and was rewarded after an hour play when Ferran Jutglà headed in Lang's free-kick. Being one goal up, Club then took the foot off the throttle and tried to be dangerous on the break.

Fossey had to clear Buchanan's shot from the goalline and Jutglà failed to get a brace on a pass from Lang. Moments later Meijer's cross was headed away just in front of Jutglà. All the visitors showed was a strike by Alzate that was blocked by Sylla.

While Club thought to have things under control, it needed an excellent save from Mignolet ten minutes before the end. The Golden Boot winner parried away Zinckernagel's drive and then kept out Dønnum's rebound. Five minutes before the end the game was decided when Bjorn Meijer curled in a free-kick brilliantly in the top corner. In stoppage time Lang looked to be through on goal, but the Dutchman slipped and the chance was gone.

So, the game ended 2-0 and Club is still in the race for a ticket for the Champions Play-Offs.

Jupiler Pro League – Matchday 29
Attendance: 27.000 – Jan Breydelstadion
Referee: Lawrence Visser
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet – Clinton Mata (42’ Denis Odoi), Jorne Spileers, Abakar Sylla – Tajon Buchanan, Mats Rits (91’ Raphaël Onyedika), Casper Nielsen, Hans Vanaken, Bjorn Meijer – Ferran Jutglà (87’ Antonio Nusa), Noa Lang. Bench: Josef Bursik, Senne Lammens, Raphaël Onyedika, Kamal Sowah, Dedryck Boyata, Roman Yaremchuk and Cisse Sandra. Coach: Rik De Mil.
Standard: Arnaud Bodart – Marlon Fossey, Noë Dusenne, Merveille Bokadi, Konstantinos Laifis – Aron Dønnum (84’ Filippo Melegoni), Gojko Cimirot (84’ Cihan Canak), Steven Alzate - William Balikwisha, Noah Ohio (55’ Stipe Perica), Philip Zinckernagel,. Coach: Ronny Deila.
Yellow cards: Odoi, Bokadi.
Red cards: none
Goals: 61’ Jutglà (1-0), 86’ Meijer (2-0).