Club Brugge is increasing the pressure on Anderlecht and Union after a narrow victory over the Bosuil

Intense Antwerp

Antwerp started the match fieryly and the textbook example of intensity fell after just a few seconds when Janssen signed for the fastest yellow card in Belgian football. Not much later, the returning Mignolet also had to show himself on a floating long shot from Ejuke.

On the other side, Lammens (ex-Antwerp) also had to show himself on a shot from Vanaken. Antwerp kept the pressure high in the opening quarter, but we still saw Lammens at work more. Nusa had a lucky shot in the 16 but decided at the feet of the Antwerp goalkeeper.

Brug’s ball possession, Antwerp’s reaction

After the home team’s storm, the reigning national champions played football more from the reaction. Club dominated possession but could hardly be dangerous in the remainder of the first half. Playing football based on reaction posed the most danger, especially with the falling ball, but Mignolet was always paying close attention. On the stroke of half-time, he alertly dived into Janssen’s feet to keep Antwerp from making it 1-0.

Opening goal with luck

It was the last achievement for Janssen, who remained in the dressing room during halftime. For example, he could not prevent Antwerp from falling behind after a few minutes in the second half due to some bad luck. De Cuyper wanted to put the ball in front of goal, but via Alderweireld’s foot the ball disappeared past Lammens at the first post.

Just not on one side, just on the other

Van Bommel made all his substitutions on the hour and it paid off very quickly. Yusuf guided Kerk through on the right, but the winger’s low cross fell just short for Ilenikhena and Balikwisha. It would be a real pain for Antwerp because a minute later the ball was in the other goal. Skov Olsen was given space to lash out and painted the ball perfectly into the bottom left corner.

Shivering towards the final whistle

The fire seemed to go out of the match, but that was without Ordonez, who rather ostentatiously hung on Balikwisha in the 16. Vergoote did not hesitate and pointed to the spot. Balikwisha did not hesitate and put the tying goal on the scoreboard.

Club decided to pull back to retain the three points, which caused some trembling moments. Especially in the absolute final, the Bruges buttocks were squeezed when De Cuyper did not touch the ball during a tackle. Kerk was hit, but too lightly according to Vergoote and the VAR, so the ball did not hit the spot.