Patro Eisden - Club: the Club facts

On Wednesday evening we take on Patro Eisden in the 1/16th final of the Croky Cup. Find out all the facts about the cup campaign and our opponent here!

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THE MATCH

On Wednesday, Club Brugge travels to Eisden in East Limburg to face Patro in the 1/16th final of the Croky Cup. It is the 3rd time ever that Blauw-Zwart takes on Patro Eisden in the cup. In early August, Patro hosted a friendly game at Basecamp. Cisse Sandra and Cyle Larin ensured a 2-0 victory then.

In 2015, Club Brugge already went to the Municipal Sports Stadium of Eisden once, then also in the 1/16th final. Hans Vanaken 2 times for Blauw-Zwart and also Thomas Meunier and Jelle Vossen shook the nets (0-4).

Denis Odoi is the player with most cup experience (30 matches, including 2 for Club). Ruud Vormer (29), Brandon Mechele (28), Hans Vanaken (28) and Clinton Mata (27) also played more than 25 Belgian Cup matches in their careers.

Hans Vanaken returns to the stadium where he scored his first 2 goals for Club Brugge. 7 years later, his tally already stands at 106 goals for Club Brugge and he won 2 Golden Shoes and 5 national titles.

THE OPPONENT

Coach of Patro is former Club Brugge goalkeeper Stijn Stijnen. The Limburg goalkeeper spent 11 seasons with Blauw-Zwart and also reached 30 caps with the Red Devils. After ending his career with Beerschot AC, he went to work for his former team Sporting Hasselt. He saved the club from financial ruin and was active there as president, sporting director and trainer. Since mid-2018, Stijnen went to work as coach at Patro Eisden.

This year, Patro is doing well. Not only did it survive 3 rounds in the cup, giving itself a gift of a poster against Club Brugge. But the club is also doing well in the league. After 12 playing days, Patro is 3rd in the standings, 2 points behind leader RAAL La Louvière. In its own Sportstadion, the club did not lose yet. After 12 playing days, the duo Roman Ferber and Elisha Sam are the club's top shooters with 7 goals.

With goalkeeper Justin Verlinden, defenders Jordan Renson and Niels Verburgh, midfielder Moreno Broggio and striker Livio Milts, the club has several players with a past with Club Brugge's youth.

MEASUREMENTS

Noa Lang can play his 100th game for Club Brugge.

REFEREE

Quentin Pirard was appointed as referee for this game. He is assisted by linesmen Jeroen Walschap and Nick Senecaut. There is no VAR in this round. It is the first time the 30-year-old Liege ref will be in charge of a Club Brugge or Patro Eisden game.