Club Brugge recorded a 1-0 home victory against Sporting Charleroi. Blauw-Zwart gritted their teeth against the visiting defense for a long time, but on the hour Hans Vanaken scored the only goal of the match.
Compared to the top match a fortnight ago, coach Hayen made four changes to his starting eleven. Spileers and Siquet replaced Ordóñez and the injured Sabbe, while Tresoldi was given the nod over Vermant. In addition, Tzolis was ill which left room for Diakhon to start on the left-hand side.
Club started the game eagerly and created danger early on: a shot by Tresoldi was saved by Koné, an attempt by Diakhon was blocked and a cross from Siquet went just wide via Keita. The following corner kick was headed straight into Koné by Stanković. Charleroi did not just defend. They tried to hit Club through Guiagon, who dragged his shot well wide.
Halfway through the first half, Tresoldi's shot from the turn went wide. The industrious Diakhon had a good shot from the left, but it took a deflection before it went wide. At the other end, Scheidler headed a corner kick over the crossbar. Shortly before half-time, Mechele teed up Siquet, but the right back's shot sailed over goal.
Even after the break, Club did not immediately succeed in outplaying the visitors. The first danger did come from Stanković, but Koné could easily catch his effort. Charleroi, on the other hand, was more threatening and suddenly had a good chance through Guiagon, but he was thwarted by Mechele. The Belgium international was then also able to head away a cross from Bernier. Just at the moment that the Zebras manifested themselves more, Blauw-Zwart struck mercilessly: Seys put the ball in front of goal and there was Hans Vanaken who slid in to break the deadlock.
Club remained in control: Siquet couldn't capitalize on a cross from Forbs and substitute Vermant aimed wide. Twenty minutes before time, the Brugge players got away well, when Mechele just managed to clear a deviation by Pflücke. Moments later, a hard shot by Forbs whizzed wide and Vermant missed the chance to decide the match: goalkeeper Koné gave the ball away, but the striker from Bruges hesitated too long and could not score.
The narrow lead meant that the game remained exciting in the closing stages. Koné could easily catch a shot by Sandra, but it was Charleroi that came the closest to a goal. In injury time, both Spileers and Onyedika had to sweep a ball off the line. Club held on and was able to win the game. It remains four points behind leader Union.
Jupiler Pro League - Matchday 15
Attendance: 25,000 - Jan Breydelstadion
Referee: Simon Bourdeaud'hui
Club Brugge: Nordin Jackers - Hugo Siquet (87' Hugo Vetlesen), Jorne Spileers, Brandon Mechele, Joaquin Seys - Aleksandar Stanković, Raphael Onyedika, Hans Vanaken - Carlos Forbs, Nicolò Tresoldi (79' Cisse Sandra), Mamadou Diakhon (63' Romeo Vermant). Bench: Dani van den Heuvel, Argus Vanden Driessche, Zaid Romero, Joel Ordóñez, Gustaf Nilsson and Shandre Campbell. Coach: Nicky Hayen.
Sporting Charleroi: Mohamed Koné - Kevin Van Den Kerkhof (63' Lewin Blum), Aiham Ousou, Cheick Keita, Mardochee Nzita - Etienne Camara, Yacine Titraoui - Antoine Bernier (74' Yacine Khalifi), Patrick Pflücke (82' Antoine Colassin), Parfait Guiagon - Aurélien Scheidler. Coach: Rik De Mil
Yellow cards: Onyedika, Ousou, Vetlesen.
Red cards: none
Goal: 59' Vanaken (1-0).