Quite the clash on Matchday 21, as Club Brugge headed for the Lotto Park to take on RSC Anderlecht. An early lead through Jutglà helped Club underway, and the Catalan's second further paved the way for the visitors. By the end of the second half, Nilsson put the game to bed with a header. Club's unbeaten run just keeps going as the next clash awaits on Wednesday, when Genk visits for the Belgian Cup semi-final's first leg.
An excruciating pace for Club these days: having sent OH Leuven off in the Belgian Cup just last Wednesday, and with the Semis' first leg already next Wednesday, Club had a tasty away fixture to complete that sandwich. Quite some new names when compared to that Cup win against OHL, as Mignolet reclaimed his place between the posts, and Ordóñez was favored upon Spileers. In midfield Nielsen made way for Onyedika, who saw Talbi alongside with Skov Olsen out ill, but the most surprising name was that of Jutglà, manning up Club's attack at the expense of Nilsson.
The opening minutes saw two teams feeling their way into the game, with Club putting its nose to the window two times as Tzolis was given the time and the space to try from outside the box, and a bit later through De Cuyper, put through on the wing and producing a sharp cross, eagerly neutralised by goalkeeper Coosemans just before Jutglà could make thoe most of it. The hosts reacted through Dreyer, taking a fine cross over Club's defense in one go, but aiming wide. The goal would probably not have counted due to a preceding hand ball by Leoni. Ten minutes into the gam, Sabbe found Talbi in front of him with space on the wing, and the winger produced a crystal clear to find Jutglà in front of goal, heading it in powerfully by the first post. An early lead for Club, for the tenth time this season, but it could just as well have been all square just a few minutes later, as Dendoncker was found all alone by the far post in a corner kick, but the defender aimed in the side netting. Alarms started chiming even more a bit later, as Dreyer was sent deep but found Mignolet on his way; the rebound fell to Dolberg, who couldn't put enough force on his attempt seeing Ordóñez clear it before it went in. Efficiency seemed to be the operative word today, as a bit later Amuzu tried his luck from just outside the box troubling Mignolet into a save in two goes.
And it wasn't over just yet for the home side, as Dolberg backheeled it neatly in the path of Rits, but the former Club player fired it over too enthusiastically. Anderlecht was on the prowl, but Club now also started creating chances again. Some nifty combination football between Jutglà and Vanaken put it in front of Tzolis, but the Greek winger fumbled his shot which proved harmless. Club was now more firmly in control, helped even further by a second goal with half time in view. A De Cuyper somehow ended up with Jutglà, who did not hesitate and fired his second past a hapless Coosemans. A nice cushion for Club, but Anderlecht had one more fine chance to draw closer before the coffee as Amuzu tucked it in from close range, but the goal was cancelled out due to very slight off side.
Just before the two teams headed for the dressing rooms, Amuzu had collided with Ordonez, with the Anderlecht needing medical attention throughout the break, making sure he could be stabilised. Edozie joined Vázquez, on for the also injured Dolberg, on the pitch for the second half, but the visitors stood firm in their organisation, with lots of possession, but not resulting in any clear chances in the opening ten. Talbi was the first to ask questions but his shot could not unsettle Coosemans. A bit later Anderlecht gained possession in midfield, helping Rits to surge forward, but the midfielder put too much weight in his pass to set up Vázquez, allowing Mignolet to adequately take the fuse out of the danger.
The game soldiered on, with Jutglà out for Nilsson and Meijer on for Sabbe, and Club was now firmly in control, deciding when to try and strike through the turnaround. Talbi was sent through well, taking his time to pick out the best option which turned out to be Nilsson, but the Swede aimed the waning chance well over. A corner kick a bit later proved more fruitful: Tzolis with the far curl towards the second post, where Nilsson easily made it 0-3. More than a lacklustre shot by Verschaeren was not in it for RSCA, unable to further unsettle the visitors.
The game was well and truely over, and three minutes of added time only saw one more chance for Club as De Cuyper put his effort in the side netting after a neat visiting combination. A great win for Club at Anderlecht, continuing its unbeaten run. On Wednesday, KRC Genk awaits in the first leg of the Croky Cup Semi Finals.
Jupiler Pro League – Match Day 21
Audience: 21,500 – Lotto Parc
Ref: Mr. Jasper Vergoote
RSC Anderlecht: Colin Coosemans – Killian Sardella, Amando Lapage, Jan-Carlo Simić, Ali Maamar – Mats Rits (80’ Yari Verschaeren), Leander Dendoncker, Théo Leoni (80’ Tristan Degreef) – Anders Dreyer (68’ Thorgan Hazard), Kasper Dolberg (46’ Luis Vázquez), Francis Amuzu (46’ Samuel Edozie).
Bench: Mads Kikkenborg, Timon Vanhoutte, Yari Verschaeren, Nunzio Engwanda, Thomas Foket, Anas Tajouart, Luis Vázquez, Thorgan Hazard, Tristan Degreef, Samuel Edozie.
Coach: David Hubert.
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet – Kyriani Sabbe (69’ Bjorn Meijer), Joel Ordóñez (86’ Jorne Spileers), Brandon Mechele, Maxim De Cuyper – Raphael Onyedika, Ardon Jashari, Hans Vanaken – Chemsdine Talbi (86’ Michał Skóraś), Ferran Jutglà (69’ Gustaf Nilsson), Christos Tzolis (90’ Hugo Vetlesen).
Bench: Nordin Jackers, Dani van den Heuvel, Zaid Romero, Jorne Spileers, Bjorn Meijer, Hugo Siquet, Hugo Vetlesen, Casper Nielsen, Michał Skóraś, Gustaf Nilsson, Romeo Vermant.
Coach: Nicky Hayen.
Yellow: Rits
Red: none
Goals: 10’ Jutglà (0-1), 41’ Jutglà (0-2), 79’ Nilsson (0-3)