A whirlwind Club Brugge recorded a big 4-0 victory against KRC Genk on their own field. Ferran Jutglà gave Blauw-Zwart an early lead and after the break an unleashed Club scored three more times through Skóraś, Thiago and De Cuyper.
Nicky Hayen made three changes to the team that won at Union on Sunday. Joel Ordóñez replaced Jorne Spileers at the back, while in midfield Denis Odoi replaced the suspended Hugo Vetlesen. Up front, Ferran Jutglà was preferred to Antonio Nusa.
Club has obviously gained confidence in recent weeks and continued on that same vein against Genk. The Bruges players immediately pushed the gas pedal and created a first chance within thirty seconds: Vanaken just couldn't reach a cross from Thiago. A few minutes later, goalkeeper Vandevoordt intercepted a cross from Skóraś just in front of the onrushing Thiago and Jutglà. On the other side, a cross from El Hadj went past Tolu and El Ouahdi. Blue-Black's next attack did hit the mark. Jackers launched Skóraś with a distant kick, who in turn was able to serve Jutglà in the sixteen meters. His attempt was saved on the line by McKenzie, but the Spaniard was able to push in the rebound.
So a dream start for Club, which remained in control thereafter. After fifteen minutes Skóraś went over McKenzie's leg in the box, but Lothar D'Hondt allowed the ball to continue. As time went on, Genk went in search of the equalizer: a shot by Galarza flew over goal, Jackers was able to clear a cross from Fadera with the help of Mechele, De Cuyper blocked a shot from Galarza and Jackers caught a deflected shot from El Hadj. In the closing quarter of the first half, it was again the Bruges players who threatened. A shot by Vanaken was blocked and an effort by Skóraś flew over goal. The best chance was finally for Denis Odoi, but he headed a Jutglà cross over goal from close range.
After the break, Club also immediately grabbed the Limburgers by the throat. After five minutes Jutglà was able to go off alone on goal, but the Catalan hesitated too long and the chance was lost. No worries though, because immediately afterwards the double lead was a fact. After a cross from De Cuyper, Vanaken played an ingenious header to the free Skóraś, who kicked the ball into the goal with his left. Five minutes later it was already 3-0: Thiago controlled a cleared ball on his chest and pushed the ball hard past Vandevoordt.
Despite the large lead, Bruges' hunger was still not satisfied. Club kept pushing Genk from pillar to post, which resulted in a fourth goal halfway through the second half. After a fine attack, Jutglà tapped the leather to Maxim De Cuyper, who kicked the 4-0 perfectly into the corner. The Bruggelingen then took their foot off the gas pedal, giving Genk a few more chances. Especially substitute Zeqiri showed himself with some distance shots, but the score did not change anymore. Thanks to this victory, Club Brugge remains two points behind leader Anderlecht.
Jupiler Pro League - Champions' Play-offs: matchday 5
Spectators: 26,000 - Jan Breydelstadion
Referee: Lothar D'Hondt
Club Brugge: Nordin Jackers - Kyriani Sabbe (71' Bjorn Meijer), Joel Ordóñez (85' Jorne Spileers), Brandon Mechele, Maxim De Cuyper - Denis Odoi, Raphael Onyedika, Hans Vanaken - Michał Skóraś (65' Antonio Nusa), Igor Thiago (85' Shion Homma), Ferran Jutglà (Philip Zinckernagel). Bench: Joe Bursik, Nick Shinton, Éder Balanta, Dedryck Boyata and Chemsdine Talbi. Coach: Nicky Hayen.
KRC Genk: Maarten Vandevoordt - Mujaid Sadick, Carlos Cuesta, Mark McKenzie - Zakaria El Ouahdi (60' Ken Nkuba), Patrik Hrosovsky, Matias Galarza, Alieu Fadera (60' Edouard Sobol) - Bilal El Khannouss (71' Ibrahima Bangoura), Tolu Arokodare (71' Christopher Bonsu Baah), Anouar Ait El Hadj (60' Andi Zeqiri). Coach: Wouter Vrancken.
Yellow cards: Arokodare.
Red cards: none
Goals: 6' Jutglà (1-0), 51' Skóraś (2-0), 57' Thiago (3-0), 67' De Cuyper (4-0).
