Club Brugge has recorded a big 3-0 victory against Antwerp on its own field. Onyedika gave Blauw-Zwart the lead just before half time and after the break Skóraś and Zinckernagel made the final decision. Thanks to this victory, Club is currently within two points of the leading duo.
Compared to Thursday’s match against PAOK Saloniki, the Bruges starting eleven underwent three changes. At the back, Joel Ordóñez and Bjorn Meijer replaced Jorne Spileers and Kyriani Sabbe, while Antonio Nusa was preferred to Ferran Jutglà at the front.
Antwerp had the most ball possession in the opening phase, but it was Club that created the first chances after ten minutes. Ordóñez was able to head a well-taken corner kick from Skóraś towards the goal, but the ball went wide via teammate Onyedika. Moments later, Nusa’s deflected shot also went wide, while Onyedika headed Skóraś’s cross wide. In addition, ex-Club goalkeeper Senne Lammens made a good save from a hard shot by Nusa and a free kick by Vanaken.
The only danger the visitors could counter was a bicycle kick by Ekkelenkamp and a back pass that was cleared by Jackers just before Balikwisha. Then it fell silent for a while, but with peace gradually in sight, the people of Bruges tried to push through: a shot from Nusa was blocked by Van Den Bosch and Wijndal did the same when De Cuyper quickly turned in a cross from Nusa. took. Just before the whistle, it worked: after a free kick by De Cuyper, the ball ended up with Onyedika after a scrimmage, who kicked in the 1-0 with his left.
After the break, Antwerp tried to look for an equalizer, but it got no further than a shot from Ekkelenkamp that was blocked by Mechele and a header from Janssen that was easily saved by Jackers. Club itself made a good move in between, but Skóraś could not reach Nusa in front of goal. On the hour mark it was accurate: Meijer passed the ball in front of goal and Michał Skóraś kicked the ball into the corner from the left.
That double lead seemed to cut the breath of Antwerp, which was no longer able to cause Club problems. Blauw-Zwart controlled the game and also had a few chances to advance further. A shot by Thiago from an acute angle went over the goal and a cross in one moment from substitute Jutglà was saved by Van Den Bosch. Antwerp did not get further than shots from Ilenikhena and De Laet. Deep into stoppage time it eventually became 3-0: Jutglà served Philip Zinckernagel and he hit the ball hard. Thanks to this victory, Club Brugge comes within two points of the leading duo Union and Anderlecht, who will face each other tonight.
Jupiler Pro League – Champions’ Play-offs: match day 3
Spectators: 27,000 – Jan Breydel Stadium
Referee: Bram Van Driessche
Club Brugge: Nordin Jackers – Maxim De Cuyper (89′ Kyriani Sabbe), Joel Ordóñez, Brandon Mechele, Bjorn Meijer– Hugo Vetlesen (68′ Éder Balanta), Raphael Onyedika, Hans Vanaken – Michał Skóraś (68′ Ferran Jutglà), Igor Thiago, Antonio Nusa (80′ Philip Zinckernagel). Bench: Joe Bursik, Nick Shinton, Dedryck Boyata, Shion Homma and Chemsdine Talbi. Coach: Nicky Hayen.
Royal Antwerp FC: Senne Lammens – Jelle Bataille (68′ Ritchie De Laet), Zeno Van Den Bosch, Toby Alderweireld, Owen Wijndal – Alhassan Yusuf (82′ Antonio Valencia), Mandela Keita, Jurgen Ekkelenkamp (68′ George Ilenikhena) – Michel-Ange Balikwisha, Vincent Janssen, Chidera Ejuke (68′ Jacob Ondrejka). Coach: Mark van Bommel.
Yellow cards: Thiago, Onyedika, Van Den Bosch, Balikwisha.
Red cards: no
Goals: 44′ Onyedika (1-0), 60′ Skóraś (2-0), 96′ Zinckernagel (3-0).
