A Nilsson timely header suffices for Club Brugge to claim the full three points at the expense of OH Leuven. The hosts had the lion's share of possession, but this did not exactly lead to many chances, not even after OHL midfielder Thibaud Verlinden saw a red card after an untimely tackle. Club never really got into trouble, beating OH Leuven with the hand brake firmly pulled up.
Coach Nicky Hayen's team saw some changes when compared to the team that had ousted KRC Genk on the way to the Cup Final. Mignolet reclaimed his spot between the sticks at the expense of Cup hero Nordin Jackers, while in the back Spileers and Sabbe came on for Ordóñez and Seys, and in midfield Jashari and Talbi recieved some much needed rest, with Vetlesen and Vermant manning the pitch. Finally, Nilsson took over from Jutglà as lone forward.
Club took matters into its own hands right from the start, claiming the ball against a low block but without being able to create too many chances. The first real threat was golden, as Nilsson sent home a fabulous De Cuyper cross with a timely header. The opening goal proved inspirational, as a bit later Vermant struck within the Leuven box, but Vlietinck was able to block the shot. The visitors had trouble keeping hold of the ball, but to say that Club Brugge was now assailing the visitors goal would be bending the truth. By the absolute end of the first half, Tzolis tried his luck, but his shot trickled wide.
The second half couldn't have got off to a worse start for the visitors, as VAR called ref Van Den Driessche to the screen, and a red card soon followed. The footage showed how Verlinden had planted his studs in the ankle of Tzolis, bringing the visitors down to ten with almost an entire half to go.
One up, Club did not push for that second goal, keeping the focus with a fine organisation and maintaining ball possession. Not many chances followed, and it was only by the end of the game that Club started surging forward again. With five minutes on the clock, Nilsson seemed to be doubling his tally and Club's lead, but Prévot kept him from his second goal, repeating that trick only a bit later, stopping Vanaken's volley. No more goals followed, and Gustaf Nilsson's sole goal proved the deciding factor in this encounter.
Jupiler Pro League – Match Day 25
Audience: 25,000 – Jan Breydel Stadium
Ref: Mr. Bram Van Driessche
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet – Kyriani Sabbe (78’ Hugo Siquet), Jorne Spileers, Brandon Mechele, Maxim De Cuyper (64’ Joaquin Seys) – Raphael Onyedika, Hugo Vetlesen, Hans Vanaken – Romeo Vermant (64’ Michał Skóraś), Gustaf Nilsson, Christos Tzolis (78’ Ferran Jutglà). Bench: Nordin Jackers, Axl De Corte, Zaid Romero, Joel Ordóñez, Casper Nielsen en Shandre Campbell.
Coach: Nicky Hayen.
Oh Leuven: Maxence Prévot – Thubault Vlietinck, Takuma Ominami (82’ Youssef Mazis), Federico Ricca, Takahiro Akimoto – Birger Verstraete, Ewoud Pletinckx, Siebe Schrijvers (82’ Wouter George) - Thibaud Verlinden – Lequincio Zeefuik (64’ Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi), Stefan Mitrovic (64’ William Balikwisha).
Coach: Chris Coleman.
Yellow: Ominami, Ricca.
Red: Verlinden.
Goal: 31’ Nilsson (1-0)