Is the season now over for Club Brugge? Trainer Ronny Deila was asked the question after a cup match in which his team was virtually qualified for the cup final for seventy minutes, was then entitled to extra time for twenty minutes, but was finally eliminated in added time after a free kick in which no one managed to score. English defender Ross Sykes from heading. The scenario was reminiscent of the way Club lost its last title opportunity against Anderlecht last Sunday and of a number of other matches in which it mentally failed in ‘money time’.
“Of course the season is not over,” Deila responded in his well-known, snappy style. “There is still a lot to play for. We first have to get into the (Champions’) play-offs and then have to fight for a favorable European ticket. And who knows, you never know how things will go in the play-offs.” But, Deila had to admit, something must be found about the concentration and intransigence in the final phase. Until Mohamed Amoura’s 1–0, Club Brugge had been Union’s equal, but supported by an enthusiastic crowd, the people of Brussels took control of the match in the final phase.
Union has been yearning for a first prize since it was promoted again to the highest division and charmed friend and foe with exciting football and a relentless competitive mentality. Although the people of Brussels are clearly at the top of the competition, a scenario in which things still go wrong in the competition is seen as a real possibility after the disappointments of recent years. So I’d rather win that cup first.
Club arrived at the kick-off with a knife between their teeth, but had little football in mind. Even Hans Vanaken did not shy away from using the blunt ax with a cynical tackle on Teklab – a foul that earned him a yellow card, but could also have been red. When he later also knocked Amoura to the ground, the entire Duden Park called for his exclusion.
Club had few chances – Thiago aimed against the outside of the post after a breakout. But it was mainly Union that pushed and for all the comments that the Unionists had for Lothar D’hondt, they were also allowed to look at their own performance. Mattias Rasmussen kicked over in front of an empty goal.
Redder Sykes
Thiago also did the same for Club Brugge after half-time. It turned out to be a very painful miss, because not much later Amoura – he again – kicked the deserved 1–0 against the ropes. The Club defense, which has been under fire for a whole season, was unable to cope with its own sixteen.
The match seemed to be heading into extra time, but the Union supporters continued to shout their players forward and instructed them to decide the match in regular time. Simon Mignolet had to be left injured for Nordin Jackers. At the start of added time, the substitute goalkeeper had to give in after a header from Sykes.
Union’s place in the final is well deserved and could result in a first cup victory in 110 years. In 1914, Union defeated… Club Brugge 4–1. Coach Alexander Blessin praised his players afterwards and instructed them to celebrate with water. The season is still long.
Club now has to regroup for the game in and against Norwegian Molde next week. In his home country, coach Ronny Deila plays no more or less than for his credibility as coach of Club Brugge.
UNION-CLUB BRUGGE 2-0 Goals: 74′ Amoura 1-0; 90+3′ Sykes 2-0
