Who will stop this army? Club Brugge knocks Genk out of the title race after a demonstration and is more likely to be a title candidate than ever

We started this article halfway through the match, with the risk that the 1-0 score could subsequently turn into a 1-2 or so, but even in that scenario praise for Nicky Hayen would be appropriate. Club Brugge is Club Brugge again under Hayen.

If we were to turn Club under Ronny Deila (and previously Hoefkens, Parker, etc.) versus Club under Hayen into a game of ‘Find the 7 differences’, the name would not be truthful: we would not be able to make do with seven changes. Before New Year’s, Club was an unstable team without a clear identity, while the plan is now in place. In addition, take a breath, fire on and off the field, No Sweat/No Glory, good combinations, a tight organization and, last but not least, winning points.

From sufferer to leader

It is the chicken or the egg discussion: does the collective make the individuals better or is the collective better thanks to the better performance of the individuals? It doesn’t really matter that much, but we cannot ignore the fact that several boys have suddenly undergone a metamorphosis. At right back, Kyriani Sabbe has become one of the pleasant (re)discoveries of the play-offs. He combines a big motor with determination and excellent feet. Brandon Mechele is now the leader and no longer the sufferer of the defense – he is in a strong position to defend. There is also Raphael Onyedika, who suddenly plays forward again, Michal Skoras gets his chance and seizes his chance and Ferran Jutglà is again the attacker who claimed a World Cup selection with Spain last season.

It was Jutglà who opened the score in the opening minutes (1-0). Wonderful long ball from Jackers – how complexly he replaces Mignolet, say -, Skoras delivered well, Jutglà finished in two times.

KRC Genk had impressed against Anderlecht during the weekend, we enjoyed it then, but at Olympia it was a lot less. Around sixteen something kept going wrong and the Genkies were late everywhere. Odoi missed the 2-0.

We talked above about players who used to be scared chickens and now become proud turkeys – have you got it? –, but Igor Thiago did not seem to belong in that category throughout the first half and the previous games. Under Deila he was dry and the wizard Hayen couldn’t do anything about that, it seemed. However, Thiago played well, at least… outside the box. Receiving balls, discarding them, keeping track: he did it masterfully. But when he had to finish, doubt struck again.

Until minute 57. Then the ball suddenly fell from the air on the edge of the large rectangle, Thiago tackled it on his best part of the body (the chest) and hit an unstoppable volley into the far corner. Very good (3-0).

Thumbs up or down?

Club rolled over Genk, Skoras had made it 2-0 after a subtle assist from Vanaken, De Cuyper made it 4-0 with a long shot. Jan Breydel thundered on a cool Wednesday evening. That is also the merit of Hayen, his staff and the playing group. Cheers.

CEO Bob Madou spoke after PAOK that after five matches it was too early to make statements about Hayen’s future. Would he still be of the same opinion after two new victories, one of which was a resounding one? You can no longer deny that Hayen has made a difference, which makes you hope for the best in the coming weeks. “We don’t have anything in our hands yet,” the Limburger keeps saying, and he is right, but even if Club does not win a prize, he has definitely put himself on the map.

In any case, the public has embraced Hayen. “Nicky Hayen’s Bruges’ Army!”, it sounded loud, not only from the spy head, but from every seat. It will soon be up to Madou and Bart Verhaeghe to answer with a thumbs up or down.

What could be going on with Ronny Deila?

Photo: Isosport