With three matchdays to go, the Champions’ Play-Offs once again has a new leader. Club Brugge won against Antwerp on Sunday and took full advantage of the points division in the derby between Union SG and RSC Anderlecht. Can Blauw-Zwart now complete its much-talked-about comeback?
Before the start of the play-offs, there were few who gave a penny for Bruges’ title chances. Not illogical. The people of Bruges had once again had a disappointing regular competition. It ended in fourth place, no less than 19 points behind leader Union. It would ultimately cost coach Ronny Deila his head.
But then the points were traditionally divided by two. And possibly even more important: the appointment of Nicky Hayen as interim head coach caused a complete reset. Suddenly the majority of the players achieved a consistent and high level. The game delivered became a lot better and the results were correspondingly.
Insane comeback
After 7 matchdays in the Champions’ Play-Offs, Club boasts a strong run of 19 out of 21. Figures that yield titles within the current competition format. Admittedly, there was also some luck involved. Like the opening goal on Sunday in Antwerp. But no one will care about that when the prizes are handed out later.
Analyst Philippe Albert sees Club as the biggest contender for the championship. “If one team is currently presenting itself as a favorite, it is Club Brugge. The team with the best legs and who excels in the way they approach matches. They have their fate in their own hands. With 9 out of 9 in the last matches, they are champions. It would be insane, because no one gave a cent for that at the start of the POs,” he said SudPresse.
Two more home games
Marc Degryse also sees how the momentum has completely turned towards Bruges. “No one can deny that Club Brugge — in the form they are in — has the best cards to become national champions,” he says. The last news. “Anything can happen at this moment: everything works at Club Brugge,” adds Alex Teklak La Dernière Heure. “Club Brugge is candidate number one because it is number one three match days from the end. Also because it still has two home games,” concludes Ludo Vandewalle of The newspapaer.
