Club Brugge kicked off their Champions’ Play-Off campaign with a commanding 2-0 home victory over Anderlecht. Christos Tzolis opened the scoring ten minutes before half-time, before substitute Romeo Vermant sealed the win after the break.
Head coach Nicky Hayen named an unchanged XI from the side that finished the regular season against Charleroi. Joaquin Seys remained sidelined, meaning Kyriani Sabbe continued at right-back, while Chemsdine Talbi was not fully fit. Up front, Tzolis and Jutglà provided support for striker Gustaf Nilsson.
Club came flying out of the blocks, applying early pressure on the visitors. Inside three minutes, Tzolis forced goalkeeper Coosemans into two sharp saves to keep out a powerful header. The hosts kept Anderlecht pinned back, dominating possession, though the first clear-cut chance didn’t arrive until midway through the first half. Ferran Jutglà brilliantly controlled a long pass from Sabbe, cut inside past his marker, but saw his shot go high and wide.
After an early spell of control, Club were nearly punished when Kasper Dolberg registered Anderlecht’s first real attempt on goal. However, Blauw-Zwart remained firmly in control, with Gustaf Nilsson firing over and Tzolis testing Coosemans twice. The pressure finally paid off ten minutes before the break. Jashari and Tzolis dispossessed Hazard, allowing the Greek winger to breeze past the Anderlecht defence and smash home the deserved opener in the far corner.
Just before half-time, Ferran Jutglà thought he had doubled the lead, but his goal was ruled out for a foul on Coosemans after a collision with the Anderlecht keeper.
Visiting manager Besnik Hasi made three half-time changes, introducing Adryelson, Edozie, and Huerta, but the pattern of play remained unchanged. Club Brugge kept up the pressure, forcing Coosemans into two early saves: first to punch away a cross aimed for Nilsson, then to parry a powerful effort from Jutglà.
Anderlecht briefly regained some composure, but the next big chance still fell to Club on the hour. Tzolis whipped in a dangerous ball, but Coosemans reacted quickly to snatch it away from Jutglà. Blauw-Zwart continued to push after the break and nearly doubled the lead 20 minutes into the second half. Ferran Jutglà linked up well with Maxim De Cuyper, but Gustaf Nilsson just failed to get on the end of his cross.
The crucial second goal finally arrived with 20 minutes on the clock. Hans Vanaken’s powerful strike was spilled by Coosemans and the alert Romeo Vermant, just on as a substitute, reacted quickest to pounce home on the rebound.
With Anderlecht struggling to respond, Club nearly added a third. Jutglà’s fierce strike whistled just over the bar, while De Cuyper rattled the crossbar with a thunderous effort. The visitors had no reply in the closing minutes, as Club Brugge comfortably saw out the match to claim a statement win at the start of the Play-Offs.
Jupiler Pro League – Champions' Play-offs: Match Day 1
Attendance: 29,000 – Jan Breydel Stadium
Referee: Jasper Vergoote
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet – Kyriani Sabbe (90’ Casper Nielsen), Joel Ordóñez (90’ Zaid Romero), Brandon Mechele, Maxim De Cuyper – Raphael Onyedika, Ardon Jashari, Hans Vanaken - Christos Tzolis (83’ Hugo Siquet), Gustaf Nilsson (67’ Romeo Vermant), Ferran Jutglà.
Bench: Nordin Jackers, Argus Vanden Driessche, Jorne Spileers, Michał Skóraś, Hugo Vetlesen, Lynnt Audoor abd Chemsdine Talbi.
Coach: Nicky Hayen.
RSC Anderlecht: Colin Coosemans – Jan-Carlo Simic (46’ Adryelson), Lucas Hey, Moussa Ndiaye – Nilson Angulo, Leander Dendoncker, Majeed Ashimeru (76’ Yari Verschaeren), Ludwig Augustinsson (46’ Samuel Edozie) - Mario Stroeykens (46’ César Huerta), Thorgan Hazard – Kasper Dolberg (68’ Luis Vazquez)
Coach: Besnik Hasi.
Yellow: Ashimeru, Dendoncker.
Red: none
Goals: 35’ Tzolis (1-0), 70’ Vermant (2-0).