Croky Cup
With two inspirations of 24 carats, Andreas Skov Olsen handed Union its first Belgian defeat since September (2-1). The Danish winger, like Club Brugge, fluctuates between genius and ordinary.
With flawless ball handling, a nose for goals and a contract with the most popular club in Flanders, Andreas Skov Olsen has everything to become the most important trendsetter in the competition. There are moments when his delicate technique delights the stands, and he puts a difficult ball dead at his feet. Then again the 24-year-old Dane disappears completely from view and the blood seems to drain from under his milky-pale skin. Until it looks irresistible again. Andreas Skov Olsen unleashed his devils twice in the cup match against Union. Twice it led to a goal.
Ten minutes into the first half he slid past Union defender Ross Sykes to direct a place ball straight to the far corner. The second time he dribbled free at the edge of the penalty area to offer Ferran Jutglà, the scorer of his first goal, the 2-0. Two brilliant ideas put the first leg of the first semi-final of the Croky Cup in the fold. Union Sint-Gillis did not prepare enough to prevent a first defeat on a Belgian field since September 16 (0-2 against Genk).
Club Brugge lost a lead in recent matches, at home against KV Kortrijk and at Antwerp, but this time they held out for ninety minutes. In the competition, blue-black had to scale back its title aspirations, but in the Croky Cup, Club is cracking as usual. Although Koki Machida scored an important goal in added time.
Standing ovation
When Andreas Skov Olsen was taken off the field ten minutes before the end, he received a standing ovation from the audience. But there is still something that prevents the 24-year-old Dane from taking on the role as an absolute club star. A lack of regularity is the most apparent reason. A lack of regularity within a season, a lack of regularity within a match. In the club of ‘no sweat, no glory’, the wing attacker is also figuratively cutting corners.
Even when he leads his team with decisive actions, there are also those moments when he is a burden. Like when he sprinted 20 yards to scold Union forward Mohammed Amoura, earning him a deserved and avoidable yellow card. Like a petulant artist, Skov Olsen seems to want to spice up every great performance with something self-destructive.
The Danish international has had an erratic career at Club Brugge, first demonstrating his qualities but later fading away, partly due to injuries. Dissatisfaction with the medical guidance at Club led to a frustrating 2022-2023 season. It didn’t help that he also reached his limits with the Danish national team and returned from the World Cup in Qatar with negative thoughts. If he was already intent on relaunching his career through Club Brugge – he previously worked for Bologna in Serie A – he knew he would have to be patient even longer.
Skov Olsen should have virtually put Club in the cup final and with a 2-0 score, the home team could also have received a penalty for a mistake on Hans Vanaken. But after Skov Olsen’s substitution, Union came back to 2-1. Skov’s replacement Michal Skoras made an unnecessary foul, Koki Machida, recently back from the Asian Cup, scored after the resulting free kick. A goal that can make the difference in the second leg on February 28.
Club Brugge-Union:……………………………………….. 2-1
Doelpunten: 11′ Skov Olsen (1-0); 46′ Jutgla (2-0); 90’+3 Machida (2-1)
