KV MECHELEN – CLUB: CLUB FACTS
The final away mission for Club Brugge leads the team to Mechelen, where a game to be kicked off at 20h30 awaits. Find out all there is to know about our trip Achter De Kazerne!
THE FIXTURE
In its 30th away game of the season, Club will be crossing swords with locals KV Mechelen, in what will be the 124th time the two teams meet at the highest level. 61 earlier away games resulted in 25 wins for Club, 15 draws and 21 defeats. The past five away games at KVM were a mixed bag, with two wins and two defeats.
Just four weeks ago, Club and Malinwa faced each other at Jan Breydel, when a 1-1 half time result was followed up with a massive home team second half performance with goals by Aleksandar Stanković, Carlos Forbs, Nicolò Tresoldi, Hans Vanaken and Christos Tzolis.
Just last Sunday, Club Brugge sent R. Union St. Gilloise packing 5‑0. Fun fact: the number 150 had a true hold on this game. Not only did Hans Vanaken score his 150th for Club through an absolutely stunner of a goal, but that one was also Club's 150th in the Champions’ Play‑Offs. Adding more allure, this was also Club's 150th league goal against Union. Seys, a header by Vanaken, Tzolis and Forbs made it a smashing 5-0 final score.
His goal brings Tzolis level with Nicolò Tresoldi at the top of the goal scorers' table (15 goals). Across all competitions, this has been his 20th for Club. Ever so productive, he also holds the record of most assists in the league, with a second assist hattrick against Union after he had already established this feat at Genk (3‑5). His final assist on Sunday set up Carlos Forbs, scoring his fourth in these Champions’ Play‑Offs.
With 21 out of 24 so far, Club Brugge has the best start in the Champions’ Play‑Offs eight games in. To boot, Club scored 25 so far, another record after eight games, and level with the absolute record after ten days overall. That record also belongs to Club: 25 goals in 2016.
Fixture number 57 for Club Brugge tonight, and only one player has made to each and every game. And it's not who you thought it would be: not Brandon Mechele nor Hans Vanaken, but Nicolò Tresoldi.
Not only Aleksandar Stanković has to watch out for a booking; Christos Tzolis is also one yellow card away from being suspended for the last game of the season at home vs KAA Gent.
The game against Mechelen presents a first match ball finishing off the season. If Club manages to do just as well as Union does away at KAA Gent, Club will the new champions. In absence of a good result, Club gets another chance at home against that same KAA Gent on Sunday.
THE OPPONENT
Hosting the game will be KV Mechelen, currently in 6th place eight matches in with 28 points, a spoth that does not come with a ticket to the European stages next season, but KV Mechelen supporters shouldn't despair: both RSC Anderlecht and KAA Gent have some hefty work to do to get that fourth (Europa League-preliminaries) or fifth spot (play off against the winners of the Europe Play-Offs with Conference League-preliminaries at stake).
Just the one win so far for KV Mechelen these Champions’ Play‑Offs: 0‑1 on the road at KAA Gent. Its first three home games were lost against Union, STVV and Anderlecht. The team did come close to that second win last weekend, after team top scorer Myron van Brederode and Thérence Koudou had put KVM into a 1‑2 lead at Anderlecht's Lotto Park, but the hosts managed to draw level in added time.
With 8 goals and 5 assists so far, Dutchman van Brederode has been key for Malinwa. Signing in from AZ Alkmaar back in September, he has proven quite instrumental.
One final mission awaits KV Mechelen on Sunday: an away game at third placed STVV.
MILESTONES
- Carlos Forbs could be playing his 50th game at Club Brugge.
- For Hugo Vetlesen, this could be the 90th league game wearing the Club Brugge jersey.
- Dani van den Heuvel could be manning goal for the tenth time in the Jupiler Pro League.
THE MAN IN BLACK
Mr. Simon Bourdeaud’hui has been appointed for tonight's clash, backed by Mr. Bryan Bijnens and Mr. Jonas Van Dyck as assistant ref, with Mr. Bert Verbeke as fourth official. In charge of VAR will be Mr. Wesli De Cremer, joined by Mr. Ella De Vries and Mr. Glenn Claes.
This will be the seventh time this 30 year old ref will be officiating an official Club Brugge game. In three earlier away games under his guidance, Club won twice and drew once. Earlier these Champions’ Play‑Offs, he was in charge of KV Mechelen-KAA Gent (1‑0). In the regular league, he handled the whistle during RSC Anderlecht-KV Mechelen (3‑1) and KV Mechelen-Standard (0-1). This season features his maiden appearance in the Champions’ Play‑Offs.