PLOEG NEWS
CLUB BRUGES
A few days after the Champions League game against Lazio, Club has to go full steam ahead again at Jan Breydel. Blauw-Zwart is battling with KV Mechelen for the three points and, if they win, will jump over league leader Antwerp, which is one point ahead and plays Anderlecht tomorrow. Last weekend, the national champion played numerous chances against OH Leuven, but finally lost to a more efficient opponent (2-1). Henry opened the scoring for the home team with his 11 meter, but on the stroke of half-time, Noa Lang also hit the net from the penalty spot. The West Flemish had several more chances to score, but Romo was a strong keeper. At the other end, Mercier hit the target, giving the promoter the three points. Club wants to do better against KV Mechelen and is determined to win at home. In the past seven home games against Malinwa, Blauw-Zwart remained unbeaten and in three of the last four home games against the Maneblussers, Bruges also managed to keep the score zero.
The selection: Mignolet, Horvath, Shinton, Sobol, Kossounou, Deli, Mata, Mechele, Balanta, Schrijvers, Vanaken, Vormer, Rits, De Ketelaere, Diatta, Badji, Krmenčík, Dennis, Lang and Okereke.
KV MECHELEN
KV Mechelen is fifteenth in the rankings with seven points. Wouter Vrancken's team won against Excel Mouscron (0-1) and STVV (2-0) and shared the points with Anderlecht (2-2). This season, Malinwa could only score ten goals and the last three away games were lost each time. Last summer, the Maneblussers saw several players leave including Castro (KV Oostende), Van Cleemput (Sporting Charleroi), Swinkels (VVV Venlo), Corryn (Cercle), Tainmont (end of contract) and Vanzeir (back to KRC Genk, now Union). New names are Coucke (KRC Genk), Bushiri (rented from Norwich City), Voet (rented from Club), Walsh (Zulte Waregem), Wernersson (IFK Göteborg), Mrabti (Birmingham City), Dailly (Anderlecht) and Shved (rented from Celtic FC). With Voet, Vanlerberghe and Storm, the Kakkers have some players with a blue-black past in their ranks.
The selection: Coucke, Bijker, Bateau, Walsh, Bushiri, Hairemans, Kaya, De Camargo, Storm, Van Damme, Voet, Thoelen, Schoofs, Boni, Mrabti, Engvall, Dailly, Vanlerberghe, Carleer and Defour.
REFEREE - JONATHAN LARDOT
Jonathan Lardot is in charge of the league match between Club and KV Mechelen. He is assisted by linesmen Florian Lemaire and Lennert Becquet, fourth official is Kevin Debeuckelaere. The video referee is Erik Lambrechts.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
CLUB BRUGGE - MATS RITS
Mats Rits can look back on a fine sporting past at KV Mechelen. He made his debut at the age of 19 with Malinwa and in no time emerged as a star player behind the Barracks. He played as many as 155 games in five seasons with the Maneblussers before making the move to Jan Breydel in May 2018. The 27-year-old midfielder can perform both defensively and offensively in midfield and reads the game extremely well. In addition, Rits also has a nose for goals with several important Bridge goals to his credit anyway.
