Union squats, Club can be champion on Sunday

Twice Mignolet

Barely had a very atmospheric Jan Breydel finished after the kick-off or Mignolet had to prove again that he is perhaps the best Bruggeling in these play-offs. Mitoma could only print diagonally, but again Simon stood firm. It’s not for nothing that he picks up one clean sheet after another.

The remainder of the first half was mainly vigorous, with a lot of effort, but with little danger of goal. Club did not get a ball between the posts. Union threatened but could barely sting. Only one minute before the break, Mignolet again had to keep his nets clean by closing his legs on an attempt by Undav. 0-0 so half way.

Red card tipping point

Union also came out of the dressing room sharply in the second half. But again it was Simon Mignolet who in the end saved his team from falling behind. So the visitors seemed to have the upper hand. But a late tackle by Machida gave the Japanese a justified red card. It immediately became a turning point in the game. Club smelled blood now and Union’s tank was gradually emptying. (Read more below the photo)

Firm fifth quarter

Jack Hendry put the fire in the pan. Until three times then the defender was close to the opening goal. But either he worked alongside or Moris was still standing. However, Union did not immediately crack. In between, Buchanan also almost scored. It was still waiting for the 1-0.

It fell moments later, after a long shot from Buchanan. Moris went flat and worked away but did so right into Bager’s feet, who worked the ball into his own goal. 1-0, a bit clumsy, but Club now had wings.

Lang apparently scored the 2-0 moments later, but did so in an offside position. Yet Union did not give in yet. Ten minutes before the end, Denis Undav still had a good chance for Teuma’s cross, but his header went wide. On the other side, Club Brugge claimed a penalty after Mitoma’s hand, but the VAR (rightly) ruled otherwise.

Nielsen (almost) at the last minute

Casper Nielsen almost seemed to give Club Brugge another big blow. Because with a nice long shot he managed to floor Mignolet, in the penultimate minute. But the attack started with an offside position, which meant that the party for Union was canceled. Club Brugge thus takes a crucial six out of six against its biggest challenger for the title, Union, and is thus heading for its eighteenth national title. His third consecutive (which is already from 1976-1977-1978). He can already take it on Sunday, by winning at Antwerp.