It was clear from minute one that both teams were eager to win the derby. Club player De Cuyper was allowed to shoot from just outside the box after 19 seconds, but decided to miss the goal by a meter. The Association had been warned.
Seven minutes later, Cercle Brugge also created its first chance. Denkey tried with a volley from the spin, but saw his left-footed attempt go high over Mignolet’s goal. Not much later, Mignolet had to intervene, after another shot from Denkey.
The Brazilian Igor Thiago, who had only just been sold to the English Brentford for around 37 million euros, had the best chance to put the lead on the board halfway through the first half. After a long ball from Nielsen, Thiago was able to approach Warleson all by himself, but face-to-face with the Cercle goalkeeper, the striker shot over by more than a meter.
After the attractive start to the match, the remainder of the first half was mainly dominated by battle. The people of Bruges fought many duels, made small mistakes and dropped the pace. In short, there was little football to see.
On the hour mark, Alan Minda brought joy to the Jan Breydel Stadium. For a moment the goal seemed to fall on the other side after Meijer was able to head on a corner kick, but Warleson was able to knock the 0-1 out of his goal. From then on things went very quickly. Minda got the ball in the half moon of his own box, crossed the entire field between four Club players and beat Mignolet with his left into the far corner. 1–0 for the Association.
Baalavond Thiago
Club went looking for the equalizer. Meijer prepared the ball for Thiago, but he shot over incomprehensibly, just like in the first half. Moments later, Nusa made an attempt, but Warleson pulled off a great save. Club increased the pressure and ten minutes before the whistle, Jutglà headed in the equalizer. Goldcrest Nusa provided the assist.
Both teams did everything they could to come home with a victory, but even thirteen minutes of extra time did not produce a winner.
That extra time was mainly the result of a VAR check for a mistake by Thiago on goalkeeper Warleson. Referee Laforge gave the Brazilian a red card, but VAR reversed the decision. Nine minutes later, Thiago was allowed to take an early shower after a second yellow card. The climax of a bad evening for the Brazilian.
Club thus misses the opportunity to exploit Antwerp’s misstep, which lost to KV Mechelen on Saturday. Cercle again takes sixth place next to Genk, virtually good for a play-off ticket.
