Club Brugge just failed to get a little further ahead in the title race. After an exciting match, it did not get beyond a draw against Union. The first half started tense and also produced few chances. After the break both teams drew the cards from the attack with the result that the supporters were treated to a goal feast. Blauw-Zwart is level with RSC Anderlecht at the top of the standings after this draw.
With last week's disappointing draw against Fiorentina well behind us, Club was looking to regain its ironclad form in the playoffs. Trainer Nicky Hayen opted for the names that have performed so flawlessly throughout the playoffs, making just the one change in midfield, where Raphael Onyedika reclaimed his spot at the expense of Hugo Vetlesen. The earlier encounter with Union in the Play-Offs ended 1-2 at the Duden Park, goals courtesy of Vetlesen and Meijer. A win for Club would mean Union would be out of the title race, and would put Club at the top of the table.
The hosts started out strong, with a lot of forward drive, putting pressure on the Union back three through their forwards Jutglà, Thiago and Skóraś. This lead to some slight chances on both sides of the pitch, with Amoura's bicycle kick flying high over, and Mechele seeing his sot blocked by an Union defender.
Bringing on Andreas Skov Olsen and Hugo Vetlesen for Skoras and Sabbe, Nicky Hayen tried to further open up the game at half time, and the changes seemed to get that immediate result he was looking for, as one minute into the second half, Skov Olsen headed the ball millimeters wide of Moris' far post. A reassuring start for Blauw-Zwart, but it was shattered to pieces moments later as Henok Teklab lashed out from outside the box and placed it perfectly in the top right hand corner.
Jupiler Pro League – Champions’ Play-offs: Match Day 8
Audience: 29.000 - Jan Breydel Stadium
Scheidsrechter: Mr. Jonathan Lardot
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet - Kyriani Sabbe (46' Hugo Vetlesen) - Joel Ordóñez - Brandon Mechele - Maxim De Cuyper - Denis Odoi - Raphael Onyedika (55' Antonio Nusa) - Hans Vanaken - Michał Skóraś (46' Andreas Skov Olsen) - Ferran Jutglà (90'+2 Éder Balanta - Igor Thiago (66' Casper Nielsen). Bench: Hugo Vetlesen, Andreas Skov Olsen, Antonio Nusa, Casper Nielsen, Éder Balanta, Nordin Jackers, Joaquin Seys, Jorne Spileers, Philip Zinckernagel.
Coach: Nicky Hayen
Royale Union Saint-Gilloise: Antony Moris - Kevin Mac Allister - Christian Burgess - Koki Machida - Alessio Castro-Montes - Mathias Rasmussen- Charles Vanhoutte ( 81' Noah Sadiki) - Cameron Puertas - Henok Teklab ( Loïc Lapoussin) - Gustaf Nilsson ( 80' Denis Eckert Ayensa) - Mohamed El Amine Amoura.
Bench: Loïc Lapoussin, Dennis Eckert Ayensa, Noah Sadiki, Heinz Lindner, Ross Sykes, Guillaume François, Jean Thierry Lazare Amani, Casper Terho, Elton Kabangu.
Coach: Alexander Blessin
Yellow: Raphael Onyedika, Nicky Hayen, Alessio Castro-Montes, Christian Burgess.
Red: none
Goals: 48' Teklab, 57' Skov Olsen, 72' Skov Olsen, 84' Machida.