Oh what a night! An effervescent Jan Breydel was witness to another one of those great nights out with Club Brugge as Diakhon, Vermant and Stanković gave a whirling Club a big 3-0 win against Olympique Marseille. Club Brugge climb to nineteenth place in the table, setting itself up with a play-off game versus either Juventus or Atletico Madrid in just a few weeks time.
Ivan Leko made two changes to the team that had beaten Zulte Waregem narrowly on Saturday. Simon Mignolet made his comeback, claiming his spot for the first time since 30 November. At the back, Joel Ordóñez also reclaimed his spot in the Starting XI after missing out due to suspension, with Jackers and Spileers referred to the bench as a result. Christos Tzolis also returned from injury, but was not fit enough to start from kick-off.
Only one way led to the the next round for Club, and that was to beat Marseille and secure a place in the top 24; for the French side, a point sufficed. Club immediately pulled out all the stops, and with success. Stanković made use of the space he was offered in midfield and advanced well, putting it wide towards Vanaken who allowed the ball to flow through to Mamadou Diakhon, left all alone, and the Frenchman's shot fluttered into goal off the fingertips of goalkeeper Rulli (1-0). And more was to come in a perfect first ten minutes for Club as Ordonez first reclaimed possession well on the opponent's half and after some fine passing, Stanković was sent deep, and the Serbian managed to get a solid cross in from the back line to find Romeo Vermant who took it in one go and pust it past Rulli to make it an impressive 2-0 lead, just 11 minutes into the game.
An absolute dream start for the hosts, who did not sit back but managed to further question the Marseille defense: Diakhon pushed forward but was stopped by Rulli, shots by Sabbe and Stanković were blocked and a header by Vermant went over. As time went on, the French took more control, but more than a few distance shots from star player Greenwood were not in it, and Mignolet was at the ready each time. Marseille's best chance came on the stroke of half-time, as Mignolet produced a fine save on a hard shot by Kondogbia.
At the start of the second half, that same Kondogbia took care of the first threat, but a focused Mignolet stood ground. Unimpressed, Club had the chance to kill the game just minutes later as Forbs went past each and everyone on the right flank to set up a free-standing Diakhon, but the young Frenchman missed his control, ruining the chance. Immediately after, Gouiri had the chance to bring tension to the game, but the striker could not frame his shot.
The French continued to press, however, making it all hands on deck for Club. Ordóñez was just able to clear a Paixão cross, while Mignolet had fine saves to deny shots by Aubameyang and Greenwood, and again Ordóñez was able to head away a Højbjerg shot in front of the goal line. Meanwhile Club lurked on the counter, forcing Rulli to a save to deny Stanković, while a shot by the substitute Tzolis flew wide.
In the end, it was MVP Stanković who put the result beyond doubt with ten minutes on the clock. Forbs again pushed through and was through on goal, but Rulli beat him to the ball. It came back to the Portuguese, finding Stanković in the centre popping in the 3-0. Marseille then tried to score that one goal to save its honour, but got no further than two timid attempts by Aubameyang. A Huge Win for Club Brugge, taking the team's total to ten points and a 19th place in the total ranking. Next Friday's draw for the Play-off round will tell who will be playing Club for that spot in the Round of 16: Juventus or Atletico Madrid.
UEFA Champions League - Matchday 8
Audience: 29,000 - Jan Breydel Stadium
Referee: Mr. Marco Guida (Ita)
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet - Kyriani Sabbe (85' Hugo Siquet), Joel Ordóñez (71' Jorne Spileers), Brandon Mechele, Joaquin Seys - Aleksandar Stanković (85' Hugo Vetlesen), Raphael Onyedika, Hans Vanaken - Carlos Forbs, Romeo Vermant (85' Nicolò Tresoldi), Mamadou Diakhon (69' Christos Tzolis).
Bench: Nordin Jackers, Ludovit Reis, Cisse Sandra, Bjorn Meijer and Shandre Campbell.
Coach: Ivan Leko.
Olympique Marseille: Géronimo Rulli - Michael Murillo (53' Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang), Leonardo Balerdi, Nayef Aguerd - Timothy Weah, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, Geoffrey Kondogbia (86' Matt O'Riley), Facundo Medina - Mason Greenwood, Amine Gouiri (86' Bilal Nadir), Hamed Traoré (46' Igor Paixão).
Coach: Roberto De Zerbi.
Yellow: Murillo, Vanaken.
Red: none
Goals: 4' Diakhon (1-0), 11' Vermant (2-0), 79' Stanković (3-0).