A narrow defeat for Club Brugge as Union Sint-Gilles made it 0-1 at Jan Breydel. The hosts claimed the most possession, but a solid visiting organisation kept Club at bay, and adding salt to injury, Alessio Castro-Montes scored the sole goal of the evening to help Union sail past Club towards the top of the table.
The team that had beaten AA Gent so emphatically on Sunday saw no changes as Nicky Hayen allowed Romeo Vermant his spot in the Starting XI and kept Simon Mignolet in goal. Club was off to a fine start, with danger straight on: Vermant teeing up Jutglà, but not for the last time Mac Allister stood his ground, clearing the ball in time. Firmly in charge, Club had difficulty finding an opening in Union's solid organisation, backed with a lot of intensity and dueling power to keep the hosts from getting into their usual stride.
Chances proved sparse in the first half, and the visitors even went without, but their first chance proved golden. After Ordóñez first managed to get in the way of an Ivanovic attempt, Castro-Montes got in possession on the left wing, cutting inside past Sabbe and a sliding Jashari to curl it perfectly out of reach for Mignolet (0-1). Trying to catch up before heading for the dressing room, Sabbe made it to the goal line, producing a fine cross, but Moris got his hands to Jutglà's header. A bit later Tzolis tried his luck from afar but saw it go wide, while Mignolet was called upon to clutch another Castro-Montes shot.
No changes in a second half that again saw a dominant Club, unable to unsettle Union's sturdy defensive plan. Club created some danger, but the really big opportunities did not follow. A shot by Vermant from an acute angle ended up in the side netting, Sabbe saw his shot blocked, and Tzolis curled it over the crossbar. The risks Club was now taking also allowed Union some more space on the break, and it took a focused Mignolet to keep Ivanovic from scoring.
The final stages of the game urged on Club to try and score that equaliser, but initially this did not bring anything more than a long range shot and another Jutglà header. An excellent chance came in injury time, as the ball fell to Tzolis, trying to tuck it in by the first post, but Moris had an excellent save in store to deny the Greek. Moments later, Vetlesen saw his header chip off the crossbar. No more goals followed, leaving Club empty-handed as it sees Union overtake them at the top of the table.
Jupiler Pro League – Champions’ Play-offs: Match Day 5
Audience: 29,000 – Jan Breydel Stadium
Ref: Mr. Erik Lambrechts
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet – Kyriani Sabbe (78’ Michał Skóraś), Joel Ordóñez, Brandon Mechele, Maxim De Cuyper (88’ Bjorn Meijer) – Raphael Onyedika (88’ Hugo Vetlesen), Ardon Jashari, Hans Vanaken - Christos Tzolis, Romeo Vermant (62’ Chemsdine Talbi), Ferran Jutglà. Bench: Nordin Jackers, Axl De Corte, Zaid Romero, Casper Nielsen, Hugo Siquet and Lynnt Audoor.
Coach: Nicky Hayen.
Union Sint-Gillis: Anthony Moris – Kevin Mac Allister, Christian Burgess, Koki Machida - Anan Khalaili (88’ Ross Sykes), Charles Vanhoutte, Noah Sadiki, Kamiel Van de Perre, Alessio Castro-Montes (68’ Fedde Leysen) – Franjo Ivanovic (84’ Mathias Rasmussen), Promise David (68’Mohammed Fuseini).
Coach: Sébastien Pocognoli.
Yellow: David, Onyedika, Fuseini, Van de Perre.
Red: none
Goal: 34’ Castro-Montes (0-1).