Jupiler Pro League
Club Brugge has continued its rise in the competition on the Union field. With ten men it defeated a desperate Union, which suffered its fourth defeat in a row in the play-offs and dropped to third place. Club is coming within two points of Anderlecht and is fully involved in the title battle.
0 out of 9 compared to 7 out of 9 and qualified for a European semi-final. The difference in form between Union and Club could hardly be greater.
The people of Brussels certainly did not let it get to their hearts and immediately took control of the match; another defeat was clearly not an option. It was certainly not the intentions of the Unionists on Sunday evening, but sometimes you also need a little luck and efficiency. After fifteen minutes, Union had already created three goal-ready opportunities, but scoring was never possible. Nilsson and Puertas got into excellent positions, but framing was not possible.
After the opening fifteen minutes, the Brussels storm subsided somewhat, Club played with restraint. The visitors had to wait until the end of the first half for the visitors’ first chance: a ball suddenly fell at Nusa’s feet, but the Norwegian aimed over. There was more to this too. On the other side, Lapoussin took another good shot, but Jackers pushed the ball from under the crossbar. 0–0 at half time.
Bizarre goal
We also saw the same game pattern after half-time, but about ten minutes later the Dudenpark was shocked by an unlikely goal. After an easy catch, goalkeeper Anthony Moris wanted to quickly relaunch the ball, but the Luxembourg international kicked the ball straight onto Vetlesen’s outstretched leg. In this way the ball just rolled into the empty goal: 0–1 for Club. Moris and Union protested fiercely, but VAR did not intervene. Moris has made the mistake for the third time these play-offs.
A big blow for Union, and especially the way it is done makes it even more difficult for the people of Brussels. Although the match was certainly not played after that 0–1. Especially when Vetlesen received his second yellow card in the 65th minute, Union started to believe in it again.
Connection goal comes too late
Puertas took his team in tow and provided a threat, but Jackers proved to be a good replacement for Mignolet and kept accurately. Just when everyone felt that the 1-1 was hanging in the air, it became very quiet again in the Dudenpark: Meijer trumped everything and everyone on a corner and nodded the 0-2 against the ropes fifteen minutes before the end. Even with one more man it still wouldn’t work for Union.
The people of Brussels tried to turn the situation around in the final fifteen minutes and when Puertas wonderfully painted a free kick into the goal in the 82nd minute, the tension was there again. Union pushed Club back firmly for another fifteen minutes, but scoring was no longer possible. Club achieved a vital victory, but Union was once again left disappointed.
Standings Champion’s Play-Offs (after 4 games)1. Anderlecht 38 points2. Club Brugge 36 3. Union 354. Genk 345. Antwerp 296. Cercle Brugge 29
