Club Brugge, trailing 1-0, switched to a 3-5-2 after 45 minutes. As if the problem lay with the 4-3-3… The 250 fans who traveled with us – masochists out of club love, otherwise we can’t say it – put it well: “We want blood, sweat and tears.”
The Norwegian colleagues told us in advance that the home team would have no chance, “because Molde is missing several basic players”. The opening phase showed that if Club were to grab the opponent by the throat, it could probably make the difference. Club hit the crossbar in the first five minutes and saw a goal (rightly) disallowed for offside, after which – apparently out of nowhere, but incomprehensible anyway – it became much too easy. Then even Molde can have a chance.
It is remarkable how bland Ronny Deila’s team often presents itself. The Norwegian is known as a man who should be able to pump fire into a group, but he himself does not show the passion that we saw at Standard. It is, for everyone, far too casual.
If you also concede an avoidable goal – Molde was given far too much space, Jackers could have done better in the short corner – then you will end up in misery against any team in Europe. Even against a mediocre and battered Molde.
Zero merit to the 1-1
With a three-man defense – surprisingly including De Cuyper – and the two attackers Skoras and Jutgla, everything would suddenly go better than in the 4-3-3. That did not go well. Club was the dominant team, but the local goalkeeper did not have to make any miracle saves. Skoras kicked wide twice, and that was about it. On the other side, we continued to watch out for the Norwegian pinpricks.
Several players remained below their level. Jutgla was below average – he made the wrong choice several times. Nielsen and Onyedika could not get control of the midfield. Deila apparently allowed De Cuyper to walk everywhere, but what was the idea behind that?
Skoras was not successful, but he was active, and yet the Pole had to leave in the end. It must be that Deila had more confidence in the others. With Skov Olsen he threw his best trump card on the table. It must have come from flashes – it seemed like all structure was missing.
The equalizer came out of the blue. Club had zero merit from it. A stray cross ended up against a flapping arm in the box – penalty. De Cuyper took his responsibility: 1-1.
Club once again got what it deserved in extra time. On the counter Gulbrandsen Club delivered a serious blow: 2-1.
Sharpness and a plan
Club Brugge wants to win the Conference League. That you would go out against Aston Villa or Fiorentina, so much so, but Molde? And yet: it doesn’t have to end in the eighth finals. In a normal world, with a little more quality and in an attractive Jan Breydel, Club should still be able to eliminate this Molde. You don’t even need world-class performance, just being normal should suffice.
The crazy thing is: there are no more certainties at Olympia. Club has been an unstable team all season. Deila certainly has his qualities, the playing group also supports him, but it is his job to provide sharpness and a plan.
