Club Brugge opened the Champions’ Play-offs campaign with a 4-2 victory against Anderlecht. In the first half, the hosts blew the visitors away, with goals from Sabbe, Stanković and Tzolis resulting in a commanding 3-0 lead at the break. After the restart, Anderlecht hit back through Hazard and Cvetkovic, but Vermant put it beyond doubt with the decisive fourth goal for Club.
Ivan Leko went with the expected eleven, making one change from the team that had beaten KV Mechelen just two weeks ago: Hans Vanaken returned in place of Hugo Vetlesen. Brugge immediately shifted into top gear and pinned Anderlecht back from the outset. Inside the opening minute, Augustinsson and De Cat had to clear efforts from Tresoldi and Vanaken off the line. A deflected shot from Forbs drifted wide, Vanaken saw a header blocked and Tresoldi could not quite reach a lay-off from Tzolis.
In complete control, it was no surprise to see Club taking the lead after 15 minutes. Seys laying it off to Kyriani Sabbe, who fired a thunderous strike into the top corner to make it 1-0. Brugge was now out for blood and kept pushing forward. Vanaken skipped past several defenders but could not get a shot in by the end of a tremendous move. On the half hour he tried again and forced a superb save from Coosemans. From the resulting corner, however, the second goal arrived. Tzolis delivered perfectly onto the head of Aleksandar Stanković, who nodded home across goal.
Club Brugge were toying with their opponents and looked to have settled the contest before the interval. Tresoldi released Tzolis, who beat his man and slotted into the far corner for 3-0. Shortly after, the lively Forbs pulled the ball back to Sabbe, but the right-back’s fierce effort flashed just over the bar. What a first half!
After the break, one-way traffic continued at first. Tzolis crossed for Tresoldi, who tried to hit it first time but saw his effort deflected wide. Moments later Onyedika also failed to hit the target, while a more elaborate combination ended with a scuffed shot from Tresoldi. Ten minutes into the second half, Anderlecht threatened for the first time as Mignolet comfortably gathered a shot from Cvetkovic. Despite offering little all game, the visitors pulled one back soon after. Mignolet initially saved from Degreef but was helpless as Hazard followed up.
That goal lifted the visitors, who suddenly began to believe again. Mignolet was forced into another good save from Cvetkovic, while Stroeykens could not direct the rebound on target. Club's No.1 then had to tip another effort from Hazard over the crossbar. At the other end, Coosemans produced a sharp foot save from a deflected Seys shot, while Forbs saw a clear chance blocked by Vermant.
Brugge still appeared in control, but the closing stages turned tense. Cvetkovic first fired over, but soon after finished a sharp counter to make it 3-2. Anderlecht threw everything forward, but it was Club who struck again. Tzolis squared it to Romeo Vermant, who finished to secure the 4-2 victory. Club now move back to within one point of leaders Union.
Champions' Play-offs - Matchday 1
Attendance: 29,000 - Jan Breydel Stadium
Referee: Mr. Jasper Vergoote
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet - Kyriani Sabbe (87' Hugo Siquet), Joel Ordóñez, Brandon Mechele, Joaquin Seys (87' Bjorn Meijer) - Aleksandar Stanković (75' Hugo Vetlesen), Raphael Onyedika, Hans Vanaken - Carlos Forbs (87' Shandre Campbell), Nicolò Tresoldi (64' Romeo Vermant), Christos Tzolis.
Bench: Nordin Jackers, Dani van den Heuvel, Vince Osuji, Félix Lemaréchal and Gustaf Nilsson.
Coach: Ivan Leko.
RSC Anderlecht: Colin Coosemans - Killian Sardella, Lucas Hey, Moussa Diarra, Ludwig Augustinsson (82' Coba Da Costa) - Enric Llansana, Nathan De Cat (88' Yari Verschaeren) - Tristan Degreef (70' Joshua Nga Kana), Thorgan Hazard, Mihajlo Cvetkovic - Adriano Bertaccini (46' Mario Stroeykens).
Coach: Jérémy Taravel
Yellow: Stanković, Llansana, Tzolis.
Red: none
Goals: 15' Sabbe (1-0), 29' Stanković (2-0), 37' Tzolis (3-0), 55' Hazard (3-1), 90+1' Cvetkovic (3-2), 90+4' Vermant (4-2).