A 2-0 win for Club Brugge in the City Derby against Cercle. A fiery Cercle gave Blue & Black a run for its money in the first half, but saw its aspirations firmly halted as Kakou was sent off with a red card after a harsh tackle. Sixty minutes in, Club decided the game in its a favour with two goals courtesy of Vanaken and Tzolis.
The team that had taken care of that solid 0-1 first leg result at Salzburg was changed in four positions by coach Nicky Hayen, as Nordin Jackers again claimed his place in goal, and Hugo Siquet came in at right back for Seys. In midfield, Aleksandar Stanković was given the nod alongside Cisse Sandra, with Onyedika and Reis forced to watch the game from the bench.
An excruciating start for the visitors saw Jackers push away a close range shot by Van Der Bruggen after just 120 seconds, and the goalie was called upon again as a high cross needed some manouevring by the Bruges goalie to tap it into corner kick. Club's passing game was far too sloppy to unsettle Cercle, and the visitors just kept rolling in their attacking waves: Agyekum with a cross going past everyone, Ngoura's deviated attempt going just wide, Mechele clearing a sharp Nazinho cross just in time, Ravych' header whizzing over, and Ngoura seeing his hard shot go just past the wrong side of the post. Club was seeing stars, and the only thing it had on offer was a fine cross from the left wing ending up behind an incoming Sandra.
Club's engine only sparked into force with ten minutes to go in the first half, as Vetlesen teed up Vermant, but the forward could not find the space to have a go. A bit later Tzolis pulled it back to Siquet, but the former Cercle defender saw his shot cleared from the goal line by goalkeeper Delanghe. Prior to this chance, however, Vermant seemed to be brought down in the middle of the pitch, and the ref was called to the VAR to have a closer look, in the end judging the foul deserved a red card, seeing Kakou sent off with just a few minutes on the clock. The hosts tried to make the most of that numeric advantage, but Delanghe helped his team to a 0-0 at half time, denying Tzolis from afar.
With Ludovit Reis on for Vetlesen, Club showed more attacking force in the second half. The Dutchman immediately showcased his positive intentions, first seeing his header saved by Delanghe, and even scoring moments later, but the goal was chalked out due to an off side position by Meijer in the lead-up. Eager for that opener, Club now kept coming, and the reward came after an hour's play. Ravych trying to head a Tzolis free kick away from goal, but the ball ended up with Hans Vanaken, who put it right back into the pack, seeing his header sail over the Cercle defense in goal (1-0).
Left with little time to react, Cercle conceded another blow moments later, as Club allowed the ball to pass from defense to attack in a fine solid movement to set up Sabbe for the cross, with Magnée unable to clear it as it ended up with Christos Tzolis by the far post. The Greek did not faulter and fired in Club's second in the top of the goal (2-0). A good lead for the hosts that was almost cut in half as Gerkens' header seemed to go for goal, but Jackers stood ground, tapping it away with a great reflex. A third Club goal seemed in the making as Cercle was down on the canvas: Tzolis saw his shot go just wide, Sandra fumbled through the heart of the Cercle defense but could not make the most of it, Mechele proved unable to get a good touch to his header and Tresoldi, just on, was put to a halt by Delanghe. The win leaves Club with a 6 out of 9 as it takes on the new season.
Jupiler Pro League – Match Day 3
Audience: 28,000 – Jan Breydel Stadium
Ref: Mr. Lothar D’Hondt
Club Brugge: Nordin Jackers – Hugo Siquet (60’ Kyriani Sabbe), Jorne Spileers, Brandon Mechele, Bjorn Meijer (60’ Joaquin Seys) – Hugo Vetlesen (46’ Ludovit Reis), Aleksandar Stanković (72’ Raphael Onyedika), Hans Vanaken – Cisse Sandra, Romeo Vermant (79’ Nicolò Tresoldi), Christos Tzolis.
Bench: Simon Mignolet, Dani van den Heuvel, Lynnt Audoor, Zaid Romero and Carlos Forbs.
Coach: Nicky Hayen.
Cercle Brugge: Maxime Delanghe - Ibrahim Diakité (14’ Gary Magnée), Emmanuel Kakou, Christiaan Ravych, Flavio Nazinho – Edan Diop, Lawrence Agyekum, Hannes Van Der Bruggen (70’ Erick Nunes) – Pieter Gerkens, Steve Ngoura (43’ Edgaras Utkus), Alan Minda (70’ Krys Kouassi).
Coach: Onur Cinel.
Yellow: Magnée, Nazinho, Stanković, Reis, Kouassi.
Red: 40’ Kakou.
Goals: 59’ Vanaken (1-0), 63’ Tzolis (2-0).