UnionClub Brugge
Jupiler Pro League – matchday 4 – 21/04/24 – 6:30 PM
timeiconplayerhomeTimehomeIconhomePlayerscoreawayPlayerawayIconawayTime
52′
Hugo Vetlesen
0 – 1
Hugo Vetlesen
52′
74′
Bjorn Meijer
0 – 2
Bjorn Meijer
74′
82′
Cameron Puertas
82′
Cameron Puertas
1 – 2
No more reason to doubt: Club Brugge is a full title candidate. After a victory at Union, blue-black is suddenly just 2 points behind leader Anderlecht. Thanks to a bizarre goal that will resonate for a long time in the Dudenpark. And despite a red card, Club even made it 0-2, Puertas’ tying goal came too late. How will Union ever overcome this 0 out of 12?
Union – Club Brugge in a nutshell:
- Key moment: A bizarre moment. Club Brugge unexpectedly took the lead via a kick from Moris who hit Vetlesen. It is a new hiccup in Union’s confidence that it could not overcome in the match.
- Man of the match: Jackers once again proved to be a worthy replacement for Mignolet. He prevented his team from falling behind in the first half, but in the second half he only had to give in to a pearl of a free kick from Puertas.
- Striking: Union has to deal with its fourth consecutive defeat. Club Brugge was 19 points behind at the end of the regular competition. And after matchday 4 in the Champions’ Play-offs, it has melted like snow in the sun. Club is now even 1 point ahead of Union. The title battle is wide open again!
A bizarre moment in the 52nd minute: Moris wanted to quickly put a ball back into play, but Vetlesen stayed in front of the goalkeeper and stretched out his leg at the right moment. Moris’ kick bounced into the goal via the Norwegian. The 0-1 for Club came out of the blue.
Because in the first half Club seemed to be still in the haze of European success. It allowed Union to start the match better than the Bruges team.
Nilsson set the tone with a good kick, which was just curled over goal. A back heel from Rasmussen put Puertas in front of goal, a swipe from Jackers was much needed. And a few minutes later his effort on the back also fell over the target.
Club Brugge’s response was only lukewarm. A cross from Vetlesen remained untouched by Nusa who flew into the centre. Who, a few minutes later, got a ball in his feet and nervously shot across the goal.
At the end of the first half, Jackers pleased the photographers by using a floating jump to push Lapoussin’s shot away from under the crossbar.
Pearl Puertas is of no use
But in the second half the scenario turned. After the 0-1, the unintentional goalscorer seemed to shoot himself and his team in the foot by picking up his second yellow card. Club Brugge had to continue with 10 for another half half.
But Club played strongly from the organization, refused to sit back at all and kept the ball in front at times. Union was completely upset after the tap that was the deficit. Only Puertas did it to kick the goal, but Jackers again joined his teammates.
Club Brugge even played its way to a 0-2 lead. A corner kick from De Cuyper found Club’s air force. Not the usual suspects Vanaken or Mechele put their heads to it, it was the detached Meijer who headed into the net from close range.
Only a pearl of a free kick from Puertas forced Jackers to turn around. It revived hope in the Dudenpark, but Union no longer became really dangerous.
Disappointed, it suffered a new blow, the fourth in a row. It is in free fall in the standings, dropping to third place. Club Brugge wins a place over Union for the first time in the title race and catches up with leader Anderlecht. How exciting it is again in the Champions’ Play-offs!
Related:
Phase by phase
END: Union 1-2 Club Brugge
The five extra minutes are over! Club Brugge wins the closely fought match at the Dudenpark. It happened thanks to a bizarre goal. A kick from Moris bounced into the goal via Vetlesen. A little later the scorer received his second yellow card and Club had to continue with 10 for another half half. And yet it was still possible to score: Meijer towered high above everyone at a corner kick and signed for the 0-2. A pearl of a free kick from Puertas rekindled hope in the Joseph Mariën Stadium, but Jackers did not want to turn around a second time.
Club Brugge throws itself back into the title race and beats Union for the first time this season. Suddenly second is 2 points behind leader Anderlecht. For Union, the fourth defeat in a row is another bitter pill to swallow.
Another scary moment in front of goal at Club Brugge. De Cuyper rather strangely heads Puertas’ cross across the goal. The ball is high, Jackers gets to it first. Rodriguez was lurking.
Union is looking for a free-standing man with the crosses. Jackers catches them one by one and eagerly lies down. And so the seconds ticked inexorably.
5 – extra time
An extra 5 minutes will be added.
Club Brugge allows itself to be pushed away and has to allow another free kick. It is almost in the same position as that free kick that Sykes bunged in in the second leg of the semi-final of the Belgian Cup. But now Puertas’ free kick is too low.
Lazare almost works his way through the Bruges defense. He taps the ball aside, a shot comes from Puertas. In Sabbe’s abdominal cavity.
A Union corner is placed dangerously in front of goal. Jackers seems to pass under the ball, but is pushed by Nilsson. Wrong and Jackers is smart enough to stay down for a while.
free kickUnionClub Brugge
Parel Doors!
Puertas puts himself behind the free kick. And proves why: he kicks it hard out of Jackers’ reach, almost into the intersection. The Club goalkeeper has been defeated after all, Union cherishes new hope!
Thiago has been more of a defensive midfielder than an attacker today. He does a lot of defensive work in the service of his team. Now he makes a mistake on Puertas.
