Club Brugge won the top match against Anderlecht 2-1 on its own field. Blauw-Zwart were in control and took an early lead through Romeo Vermant. Chemsdine Talbi seemed to make the final decision fifteen minutes before the end, but Simić was able to score in the final phase. Club then held firm and took an over-deserved three-pointer.
Nicky Hayen changed the team that lost in Milan in two places: Andreas Skov Olsen and Romeo Vermant replaced Chemsdine Talbi and Ferran Jutglà. The first danger of the game came from the visitors, but Dreyer kicked the ball wide. After eight minutes the first Bruges threat was immediately defeated. Tzolis was able to steal the ball from Simić and serve Romeo Vermant. The young attacker did not hesitate and scored his very first goal for Blauw-Zwart!
A dream scenario for Club that remained clearly in charge afterwards. For example, Coosemans had to save a shot from Tzolis and also intercept a cross from De Cuyper. Around the half hour mark, the people of Bruges shifted up a gear and chance after chance followed: a hard shot from Jashari whizzed over the crossbar and Coosemans made excellent saves on shots from Tzolis and Skov Olsen. Shortly afterwards, Vanaken’s header landed on the roof of the goal.
Ten minutes before half-time, Club came close to a second goal again. De Cuyper painted the ball on Vermant’s head but his header went over the goal. Anderlecht proved unable to cause Club problems and, thanks to Coosemans, did not suffer any further damage. Just before half time, the goalkeeper again had an excellent reflex on Onyedika’s shot towards the square.
After the break, the people of Bruges continued their momentum. After just a few minutes, Tzolis was able to tap in a cross from Skov Olsen, but after a long delay, VAR Erik Lambrechts ruled out the 2-0 for offside. Moments later, Vanaken’s header went over the crossbar and Skov Olsen was unable to frame his shot. The visitors were able to counter for a while, but Mignolet was alert to a shot from Stroeykens.
Due to the narrow lead, it was still necessary to pay attention and so Club pressed the accelerator a little harder halfway through the second half. After a good attack, Skov Olsen shot straight at Coosemans, a hard shot from Onyedika zoomed wide and a deflected shot from Jashari went wide. The deserved 2-0 eventually came fifteen minutes before the end. Vanaken launched the recently substituted Talbi, who defeated the far-out Coosemans and scored the 2-0.
Immediately afterwards, Vermant extended Talbi’s cross over the goal and saw his hard shot fly over the crossbar. Moments later, his replacement Jutglà headed wide. Club seemed to regret those misses as Jan-Carlo Simić headed in the 2-1 two minutes before the end. Anderlecht now threw everything forward, giving Blauw-Zwart space to counter. After an excellent counterattack, Skóraś curled the ball wide. Deep into stoppage time, Club almost had to deal with the situation. A hard shot from Ashimeru whizzed wide, De Cuyper was able to clear the ball just before the line and in the absolute final seconds Jörgensen kicked the ball wide from close range. The score remained 2-1, meaning Club Brugge took an over-deserved three-pointer.
Jupiler Pro League – Matchday 12
Spectators: 29,000 – Jan Breydel Stadium
Referee: Jasper Vergoote
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet – Joaquin Seys (69′ Kyriani Sabbe), Joel Ordóñez, Brandon Mechele, Maxim De Cuyper – Raphael Onyedika, Ardon Jashari (95′ Jorne Spileers), Hans Vanaken – Andreas Skov Olsen (69′ Chemsdine Talbi), Romeo Vermant ( 80′ Ferran Jutglà), Christos Tzolis (80′ Michał Skóraś). Bench: Nordin Jackers, Dani van den Heuvel, Zaid Romero, Hugo Vetlesen, Casper Nielsen and Gustaf Nilsson. Coach: Nicky Hayen.
RSC Anderlecht: Colin Coosemans – Killian Sardella, Jan-Carlo Simić, Leander Dendoncker, Moussa N’Diaye (91′ Mathias Jörgensen) – Mats Rits, Theo Leoni (57′ Majeed Ashimeru), Yari Verschaeren (57′ Francis Amuzu) – Anders Dreyer, Kaper Dolberg (68′ Luis Vazquez), Mario Stroeykens (68′ Samuel Edozie). Coach: David Hubert.
Yellow cards: Leoni, Dendoncker, Dolberg.
Red cards: no
Goals: 8′ Vermant (1-0), 76′ Talbi (2-0), 88′ Simic (2-1).
