A trip to Malinois for FCB on Match Day 2. Get in the know here.
The Fixture
Winning the Supercup at the expense of Union and beating KRC Genk on MD1, Club has had a fiery start to the season. In both games Club managed to make up a conceded goal.
The two teams will be meeting for the 121st time on Friday. In 60 earlier games in Mechelen, Club won 25 times (last win 1-2 on 07/12/2024), drew 15 times (last time 1-1 on 10/12/2023) and suffered 20 defeats (last defeat 2-1 on 19/11/2021).
The more recent past has proven successful for Club, winning 7 out of 9 Achter De Kazerne (1D 1L), unbeaten in the last 7 encounters (4W 3D). Last season, Maxim De Cuyper opened the score line just before the break, only to see it overturned in the 95th minute as Benito Raman drew Mechelen level. One minute later, however, Ordóñez made sure the points went Club's way (1-2).
In the past two editions of the Jupiler Pro League, Mechelen entertained Club at Jan Breydel on both occasions, both games ending in 1-1.
The Opponent
The new season will be the 72nd featuring the team from Mechelen, with a 7 year streak in the past years.
Taking over in March of this year, Frédéric Vanderbiest (47) is the T1 at Yellow & Red. At the club since 2018, he has been assistant-coach under Vrancken, Hasi, Defour and Buijs. After the dismissal of Besnik Hasi, Vanderbiest was coach at interim, which earned him the club's confidence as he was appointed head coach this Summer.
For the third time running, KV Mechelen started with a 1-1 result away from home on MD 1. This time newly promoted SV Zulte Waregem managed to keep the team at bay. Malinwa had taken the lead 16 minutes into the game (Lion Lauberbach assisted by Kerim Mrabti), but a penalty by the absolute end of the game was eagerly tucked away by former Club forward Jelle Vossen.
KVM started last weekend with Rafik Belghali, Ortwin De Wolf, Redouane Halhal, Fredrik Hammar, José Marsà, Patrick Pflücke and Rob Schoofs. With 26.2 years, KV Mechelen's Starting XI was the second to oldest Starting XI on the opening day (OH Leuven's Starting XI was 26.5 years old).
Milestones
- Hans Vanaken could be playing his 510th official game at Club Brugge.
- Hugo Vetlesen is up for a 100th appearance for Blue and Black!
- Game No 90 for Michał Skóraś, while Jorne Spileers, just into his new contract at Club, could be playing for Club a 70th time. Playing time for Bjorn Meijer means this will be his 75th league game for FCB.
- A 40th possible JPL game finally for Christis Tzolis.
The Man in Black
Mr. Erik Lambrechts has been appointed as the ref for this game, assisted by his linesmen Mr. Jo De Weirdt and Mr. Kevin Monteny. Fourth official will be Mr. Klass Clerckx, while Mr. Ken Vermeiren will be in charge of VAR, assisted by Mrs. Ella De Vries and Mr. Roel Bensch.
For the 45 time, the 40 year old will be whistling a game involving Club. In 18 earlier away games, Club won 10, drew twice and lost 6 times.