Club breathes a sigh of relief after victory at OHL

After a difficult start to the competition with a defeat against Eupen and a draw against Zulte Waregem, Carl Hoefkens and his team had something to make up for on the field of OH Leuven.

Bruges started eagerly with a long shot from Ferran Jutgla, which deviated from Casper Nielsen in goal. However, he was offside and the goal was disallowed. After 15 minutes there are again two big chances for blue-black. First Ferran Jutgla just couldn’t reach a cross and Vanaken’s shot deserved better. The first danger for the inhabitants of Leuven immediately ended in Mignolet’s nets. However, Nsingi was offside by a few millimeters. Yet it was Bruges that took the lead via Casper Nielsen, the newcomer in midfield, who came over from Union (33.) this summer. Malinov played weakly and Nielsen was able to receive the present. A few minutes later bad news for Hoefkens. The frivolous Andreas Skov Olsen dropped out with an injury and was replaced by the Dutch wild water Noa Lang (41.). Club didn’t react really excited. Ferran Jutgla (42.) made the 0-2 on a sharp counterattack from Sowah.

Two missed penalties

Marc Brys’ speech during halftime seemed to give Leuven wings. Al-Taamari painted a free kick against the post. The game could have turned here, but Burkinabe Ouedraogo made a penalty foul on Noa Lang not much later. Hans Vanaken missed that penalty, but the referee saw that the goalkeeper had gone too quickly. Noa Lang was allowed to do the job himself (0-3, 55). Goal scorers Jutgla and Casper Nielsen got a break with this safe lead. Consternation on den Dreef when another penalty was called after the intervention of the VAR on Noa Lang. He gave the ball to Hans Vanaken to erase his first miss. Goalkeeper Cojocaru, however, made a sublime save.

Club Brugge jumps with seven points to a provisional fourth place, next to Union. OHL remains stuck at six points for the time being.