Match Day 7 in the Champions League came with a draw for Club Brugge. The well-organised hosts kept Juventus at bay, and managed to create some danger too. No goals fell, however, but the point harvested might prove instrumental towards qualification for the next round.
Nicky Hayen opted for his usual Starting XI, bringing seven new names in the team that had beaten Beerschot just last Saturday. In the back Sabbe, Ordóñez and De Cuyper reclaimed their places at the expense of Siquet, Spileers and Meijer, while in midfield Jashari came on for Nielsen. Up front Jutglà was joined by Talbi and Tzolis on the wings, referring Vetlesen, Nilsson and Skóraś to the bench.
Initially leaving the initiative to the Italian guests, Club started from a fine organisation, trying to keep back Juve while going for those fiery outbreaks. A fruitful plan, as the hosts created some opportunities in the opening few. Jutglà tried from afar with a surprise shot going wide, while a bit later his cross did not find Tzolis in front of goal. Halfway through, Onyedika had a clear shot on goal, but Jutglà, oblivious to his teammate, took the ball just before he could strike.
Possession was clearly for Juventus, but the Italians proved unable to rattle Club's cage. The only true threat came through Douglas Luiz, chesting the ball neatly but then firing it wide of target. Just before the coffee, Club again went for the break, but as Tzolis launched Jashari, an attentive goalkeeper Di Gregorio beat him to the ball.
Fresh on the pitch, Club had a great chance to open the score: Club with the high pressure and Vanaken with the interception finding Tzolis who saw Jutglà in the centre, but the Spaniard was unable to put his shot on the right side of the post. Not taken aback, Juventus reacted through Mbangula teeing up Gonzalez, but the man who caused so much pain to Club in last season's Conference League Semis missed the ball, and in the ensuing play Douglas Luiz aimed the rebound over. After a Koopmeiners attempt from outside the box went high over, Ordóñez was able to clear the ball just before Gonzalez could make the most of it. On the other end, Tzolis saw his shot blocked.
Club was now gasping for breath, prompting Hayen to bring some fresh blood to the pitch in Seys, Nilsson and a bit later Vetlesen. After Koopmeiners fumbled a heading opportunity, Club came even more close to the opener with fifteen minutes on the clock, as Talbi pushed on and put in a great cross towards Nilsson, taking it in one go, but the ball went over as the crowd let out a sigh of despair. With five minutes on the clock, Mignolet was called upon to stretch as Locatelli tried it from just outside the box. Club had one more opportunity, as Talbi brilliantly controlled a long ball, went past his defender but touched it too far to allow Di Gregorio to beat him to it. 0-0 it remained, allowing Club another huge step towards qualification to the next round.
UEFA Champions League – Match Day 7
Audience: 28,000 – Jan Breydel Stadium
Ref: Mr. Benoît Bastien (Fra)
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet – Kyriani Sabbe (69’ Joaquin Seys), Joel Ordóñez, Brandon Mechele, Maxim De Cuyper – Raphael Onyedika, Ardon Jashari, Hans Vanaken – Chemsdine Talbi (90’ Bjorn Meijer), Ferran Jutglà (69’ Gustaf Nilsson), Christos Tzolis (78’ Hugo Vetlesen). Bank: Nordin Jackers, Zaid Romero, Romeo Vermant, Michał Skóraś, Casper Nielsen, Hugo Siquet en Jorne Spileers. Coach: Nicky Hayen.
Juventus: Michele Di Gregorio – Nicolo Savona, Federico Gatti, Pierre Kalulu, Andrea Cambiaso – Manuel Locatelli, Douglas Luiz (75’ Khephren Thuram), Teun Koopmeiners (75’ Weston McKennie) – Timothy Weah (65’ Francisco Conceiçao), Nicolas Gonzalez (75’ Dusan Vlahovic), Samuel Mbangula (65’ Kenan Yildiz). Coach: Thiago Motta.
Yellow: Koopmeiners, Conceiçao.
Red: none
Goals: none