Quite the clash for Club on Match Day 12 of the Jupiler Pro League, as Blue & Black made its way to rivals Antwerp. An early strike by Vermant put the visitors in the lead. A more fervent Antwerp in the second half caused Club quite some headache, but in the end the visitors managed to hold on to their slender lead.
Severely outgunned by Bayern Munich on Wednesday, Club now faced another arduous task at the Bosuil Stadium. Coach Nicky Hayen took on this assignment with an unchanged Starting XI with the exception of Meijer making way for Seys, while Tresoldi dropped to the bench, making way for Vermant to lead up front alongside Tzolis and Forbs. Two first starts for the home side as Hamdaoui and Kouyaté manned the pitch in Deurne.
Club had the brighter start of the game, creating an early chance through Tzolis, neatly picked out by Stanković picked with a fine long pass, and the Greek cutting inside in trademark fashion before pulling the trigger. His shot was blocked, but Club made no secret of their intentions. Five minutes later came Antwerp’s first response through Adekami, but his long-range effort sailed high over Jackers’ goal. The game was still young as Vermant saw his time come: the young forward seemed to be losing control of the ball, but he fought on, reclaiming possession, and turning at the edge of the box to find the far corner with his left foot beyond the reach of Nozawa (0-1).
Twenty minutes into the game, Club survived a scare as Ordóñez took a bad control of the ball in his own area. Adekami pounced, but his close-range effort was blocked at the last second by Stanković.
Midway through the first half, Blue & Black began to take control of the game through some solid organisation. Antwerp had the better of the ball but failed to turn that into real danger. Just before the break, Club broke quickly again as Audoor found Tzolis out wide. The winger whipped in a low cross, but Nozawa read it well and dealt with the threat. On the stroke of half-time, the visitors came close to doubling their lead. After Antwerp lost possession, Vermant burst forward and squared it inside the box for Tzolis, who fired over from close range with his left foot. Club went into the break one goal up.
At the start of the second half, Antwerp made one change as the industrious Adekami made way for Al-Sahafi. The pattern of play, however, didn’t change much at first, with Club keeping possession around the home side’s box. Only blocked shots from Tzolis and Seys came from it. Antwerp responded with half-chances for Tsunashima and Foulon, but Jackers remained untroubled. Diawara later tested the Brugge keeper from distance, but his effort was comfortably saved, even though the hosts were now gaining momentum.
That pressure nearly paid off when Al-Sahafi was played through in the box and cut the ball back for Hamdaoui, who fortunately couldn’t hit the target from close range. Club answered immediately through Tzolis, who capitalised on a mistake from Van Den Bosch, but his shot hit the side netting.
Midway through the second half, Brugge threatened again from a Meijer free-kick, forcing Nozawa into action. Moments later came Antwerp’s best chance to level. Foulon whipped in a dangerous cross and Janssen appeared at the near post, but the Dutch striker couldn’t convert and Jackers breathed a sigh of relief. Club responded straight away as Tzolis met a free-kick at the far post and struck first time, only for Nozawa to produce a sharp save.
The game flowed end to end, with Al-Sahafi flagged offside after shooting at Jackers, and Meijer trying a volley from distance that went straight at Nozawa. Shortly after, the Dutch full-back’s evening ended prematurely as he limped off with a muscle injury.
In the end, four extra minutes did not come with more chances for the hosts, making Vermant’s early the deciding factor for this narrow yet very important victory. On Wednesday, Club kicks off its Cup dreams at home against Eendracht Aalst.
Jupiler Pro League - Matchday 12
Audience: 16,144 - Bosuil Stadium
Referee: Mr. Nicolas Laforge
R Antwerp FC: Taishi Brandon Nozawa - Kiki Kouyaté, Zeno Van Den Bosch, Yuto Tsunashima - Thibo Somers, Mauricio Benítez, Mahamadou Diawara (84' Anthony Valencia), Daam Foulon - Youssef Hamdaoui (66' Isaac Babadi), Vincent Janssen, Farouck Adekami (46' Marwan Al-Sahafi).
Bench: Yannick Thoelen, Kobe Corbanie, Marwan Al-Sahafi, Isaac Babadi, Anthony Valencia, Glenn Bijl, Rosen Bozhinov, Christopher Scott, Gabriel Jesus David.
Coach: Stef Wils.
Club Brugge: Nordin Jackers - Kyriani Sabbe, Joel Ordóñez, Brandon Mechele, Joaquin Seys (62' Bjorn Meijer (85' Hugo Siquet)) - Aleksandar Stanković, Hans Vanaken, Lynnt Audoor (62' Nicolò Tresoldi) - Carlos Forbs, Romeo Vermant, Christos Tzolis.
Bench: Dani van den Heuvel, Argus Vanden Driessche, Jorne Spileers, Hugo Siquet, Bjorn Meijer, Hugo Vetlesen, Cisse Sandra, Mamadou Diakhon, Nicolò Tresoldi, Gustaf Nilsson.
Coach: Nicky Hayen.
Yellow: Benítez, Somers, Jackers
Red: none
Goal: 12' Vermant (0-1)