Match Day 11 in the Jupiler Pro League came with an away mission for Club Brugge, taking the team to Het Kuipje where it was set to meet with locals KVC Westerlo. An early opener by Spileers was followed up with Vanaken's 0-2, but just before half time the hosts brought tension to the game from the spot through Sayyadmanesh. No more goals followed, and a slender win offers Club a welcome boost of confidence as it takes on the next heft task on Tuesday at San Siro!
Club had gone into the international break with a home draw against Union, and coach Hayen made quite some changes to the team that had fought so hard for the one point. In the back, Romero made way for Spileers, while in midfield Onyedika was preferred over Vetlesen. Up front, Talbi, Vermant and Tzolis were given the nod, at the expense of Skóraś and Jutglà. Skov Olsen and Nilsson were suffering from calf troubles, and were not selected. Coaching Westerlo was a legend at Club, as Timmy Simons was all too eager to snatch away points from "his" Club Brugge.
The first chance after a short study round proved golden: Spileers pushing forward unattacked, and trying his luck from afar, completely misjudged by Bolat who let it fumble from his hands in goal. As Onyedika lost possession in midfield, Frigan was given way to head for Mignolet, but fortunately for the guests the goalkeeper proved the better of the efort. More ball loss allowed Mebude to push on next, with the ball ending up with Sayyadmanesh, but the latter aimed his effort wide of target. Westel's forward was in an industrious mood, as he dribbled his way through the Club defense, but this time the post and De Cuyper denied the hosts' equaliser. This was all within the first fifteen minutes, and after another Frigan chance missed after ball loss, Club also started the host defense questions, Tzolis testing Bolat from an acute angle, but Bolat turned it into a corner kick.
The lack of efficiency would prove deadly for Westerlo as Club managed to double its lead halfway through the first half. Vanaken with the time and the space to steam forward through the centre, sending it home from close range: 0-2. Thirty minutes into the game, another Tzolis attempt from an angle also went awry. Now firmly in control, Club raked up the chances, and Bolat was called upon to dive into the feat of Talbi to avoid further damage. Shortly before the break, however, Westerlo brought tension to the game from the spot: Onyedika playing it too short towards Mignolet, leaving the Club goalie no other option than to foul Frigan. Ref Laforge did not hesitate, pointing towards the spot, with Sayyedmanesh meticulously slapping in the 1-2. The first half ended with chances for the two teams, as first Mignolet got a hand to Vuskovic' hard shot to tap it over, and a bit later as De Cuyper found Vermant with a low cross, but the latter could not get it past Bolat from close range, and was then seemingly brought down by the goalie. No penalty, however, and the two teams headed for the dressing room with a slender lead for Club.
No changes to either team at the start of the second half, with possession to Westerlo without creating too much danger. It was Club that created the first chance, as Vermant cleverly prolonged towards De Cuyper who found Tzolis, but the Greek was unable to get it past Bolat. The visitors regained control of the game, and the hosts were unable to pick Club's defense apart. Without any clear chances, goals could also come as a fluke, though, and Club was fortunately as a deflected cross seemed to head for goal, but Mignolet came just in time to clear it from the goal line.
Just on, Jutgla had a go from just outside the box, but his attempt missed target. That other substitute, Skóraś, also saw his time to shine in Minute 75, but slipped just as he was aiming his shot, seeing it stumble well wide of target. Westerlo's offensive play had been muted by then, but this changed when a free kick came to Rommens, trying to beat Mignolet into the far corner. And he succeeded, but fortunately for Club De Cuyper was Club's saviour, clearing the ball from the goal line. Just before the end of the ninety minutes, Alcócer tried from a distance, but again Mignolet could not be faulted.
Four minutes of added time saw no more changes to the score, but only to the home team's composition as Bayram conceded a second yellow, seeing him sent off. An important win for Club, as it lives towards th encounter at San Siro against AC Milan on Tuesday!
Jupiler Pro League – Match day11
Audience: 8,035 – Het Kuipje
Ref: Mr. Nicolas Laforge
KVC Westerlo: Sinan Bolat – Tuur Rommens, Emin Bayram, Luka Vuskovic, Jordan Bos (58’ Edisson Jordanov) – Doğucan Haspolat, Arthur Piedfort (72’ Thomas Van den Keybus), Alfie Devine – Adedire Mebude, Matija Frigan (72’ Josimar Alcócer), Allahyar Sayyadmanesh.
Bench: Nick Gillekens, Emir Ortakaya, Muhammed Gümüşkaya, Sergiy Sydorchuk, Rubin Seigers, Edisson Jordanov, Roman Neustädter, Thomas Van den Keybus, Josimar Alcócer.
Coach: Timmy Simons.
ClubBrugge: Simon Mignolet – Joaquin Seys, Brandon Mechele, Jorne Spileers, Maxim De Cuyper (90+2’ Kyriani Sabbe) – Raphael Onyedika (82’ Hugo Vetlesen), Ardon Jashari, Hans Vanaken – Chemsdine Talbi (90+2’ Joel Ordóñez), Romeo Vermant (65’ Ferran Jutglà), Christos Tzolis (65’ Michał Skóraś).
Bench: Nordin Jackers, Axl De Corte, Zaid Romero, Joel Ordóñez, Kyriani Sabbe, Hugo Vetlesen, Casper Nielsen, Ferran Jutglà, Michał Skóraś, Kaye Furo.
Coach: Nicky Hayen.
Yellow: Mignolet, Bayram, Piedfort, Rommens, Sayyadmanesh
Red: Bayram (2x yellow)
Goals: 4’ Spileers (0-1), 24’ Vanaken (0-2), 41’ Sayyadmanesh (1-2, pen)