A home win for Club Brugge at the hands of FCV Dender (2-1). Club took a double lead after half an hour thanks to Tresoldi and Tzolis, but then failed to put the result beyond doubt. In injury time, Berte scored the tying goal for the visitors.
While Nicky Hayen reshuffled his team for the Cup game against Eendracht Aalst Lede, Club's coach opted for his usual starting line-up against red lanterns Dender, meaning Mechele and Vanaken remained alongside nine new names. Compared to last week's match against Antwerp, there was only one substitution, as Audoor made room for Tresoldi. As a result, Vermant moved back one row and played as an attacking midfielder, while Tresoldi was the lone forward.
No win for Dender so far this season, and the visitors took on the game with high pressure, resulting in the first threat of the game as Nsimba went down a little too eagerly after a duel with Mechele and referee Van Damme allowed the game to continue. Club then took command, trying to find an opening through the visiting organisation. A first attempt by Tzolis was saved by goalkeeper Dietsch through a fine foot reflex, and a bit later Stanković cross whizzed over goal. Fifteen minutes into the game, however, the score was opened as Forbs pushed through on the wing, finding Tresoldi in the centre, slamming in the 1-0.
The visitors refused to give in, asking Club's defense some questions as Jackers had to go flat well on a low slider from Toshevski and later on punch away a hard shot from Sambu. Club was warned and struck mercilessly on the half-hour mark. Forbs again with the speedy run up the wing, this time finding Tzolis inside the box. The Greek first found a Dender defender on his way, but in the rebound he hammered it in by the first post to make it 2-0. In the closing stages of the first half, a shot by Viltard went over goal and Vanaken was also unable to frame a header.
After the break, the home side immediately went in search of a third goal. Vanaken was able to clear Vermant with an ingenious pass, but his shot splattered against the underside of the crossbar from a very acute angle. Moments later, Dietsch made a good save on an attempt by Tzolis. At the other end, Nsimba's shot sailed half a meter wide.
Blauw-Zwart controlled the game and did not want to use up too much strength in view of next Wednesday's Champions League match against FC Barcelona. It did get several more chances to make it 3-0, however, as a header by Tresoldi went wide, a hard shot by Vermant was saved by Dietsch and after a fine action by Tresoldi, the German Italian's shot went wide. Moments later, an effort by Forbs was blocked and a shot by Sabbe went well wide.
No third goal to tie things up, so Dender retained a glimmer of hope. Kadiri intercepted a back pass from substitute Onyedika, but Jackers kept the score on the board. At the start of injury time, however, the Bruges goalkeeper had to give in when Mohamed Berte kicked in the short corner. The 2-1 remained on the board, however, and so Club Brugge took its fifth victory in a row.
Jupiler Pro League - Matchday 13
Audience: 25,000 - Jan Breydel Stadium
Referee: Mr. Kevin Van Damme
Club Brugge: Nordin Jackers - Kyriani Sabbe, Joel Ordóñez, Brandon Mechele, Joaquin Seys (89' Hugo Siquet) - Aleksandar Stanković, Hans Vanaken, Romeo Vermant (62' Raphael Onyedika) - Carlos Forbs (79' Shandre Campbell), Nicolò Tresoldi, Christos Tzolis (79' Mamadou Diakhon).
Bench: Dani van den Heuvel, Hugo Vetlesen, Cisse Sandra, Jorne Spileers and Kaye Furo.
Coach: Nicky Hayen.
FCV Dender EH: Guillaume Dietsch - Marsoni Sambu, Luc Marijnissen, Benjam Fredrick, Bryan Goncalves (71' Nail Moutha-Sebtaoui), Fabio Ferraro - Malcolm Viltard (82' Nathan Rôdes), Noah Mbamba (82' Jordan Kadiri), Roman Kvet (63' Desmond Acquah) - Bruny Nsimba, David Toshevski (63' Mohamed Berthe).
Coach: Hayk Milkon.
Yellow: Stanković, Kadiri.
Red: none
Goals: 17' Tresoldi (1-0), 29' Tzolis (2-0), 90+1' Berte (2-1).