The final match day of the regular league came with an emphatic 4-1 win against KV Mechelen for Club Brugge. Tresoldi gave the hosts an early lead, while Kyriani Sabbe's two goals seemed to decide the game even before halftime. Raman scored after the break, but Mechele took care of the 4-1 final score.
Bruges' starting lineup underwent two changes compared to the team that beat Westerlo last week: not fully recovered from a hip injury, captain Hans Vanaken was replaced by Hugo Vetlesen. Brandon Mechele was fit again and took his starting place at the expense of Jorne Spileers. The absence of captain Vanaken allowed Simon Mignolet to don the captain's armband.
Just last week, the KV Mechelen fans rejoiced as their team qualified for the Champions' Playoffs for the first time ever and the players still seemed to be in a celebratory mood. Club's first threat of the game resulted in the 1-0 as Seys found Tresoldi in the middle to tap in the 1-0 after just over a minute of play. Malinwa reacted with a header from Raman going over, but for the rest it was only Club trying to create more danger: a shot from Onyedika was blocked, a header from Mechele flew over and Tresoldi just couldn't reach a cross from the right.
Clearly in control, Club doubled its lead halfway through the first half: Vetlesen with the deftest of touches putting Kyriani Sabbe through on goal, and the defender did not hesitate, slamming in the 2-0 into the far corner. Moments later, Miras saved a Tzolis shot and Konaté was able to clear a cross from the Greek just before Tresoldi could turn it home. Not much later it was 3-0: Tzolis cleverly finding Sabbe on the edge of the box, finding his way to the back of the nets a second time as it went in off Halhal. At the end of the first half Miras had a great reflex on an attempt by Tresoldi, while a free kick by Tzolis went over.
After the break the first real danger again came from Club Brugge, as Vetlesen's shot went wide. Mignolet had yet to grab a ball, but had to concede after ten minutes in the second half as Benito Raman cleverly put it past our goalie to make it 3-1.
Unimpressed, Club immediately went in search of a fourth goal. Miras first saved tries of Tzolis and Onyedika, while Forbs also failed to score twice. The deserved 4-1 finally fell with twenty minutes to go as Mechele headed in a corner kick from Tzolis.
In the closing stages Club tried to score a fifth time. Vermant, just on, tried from outside the box, but his shot went just wide off Miras' hand. Moments later, a shot by Diakhon was blocked and an attempt by Nilsson flew wide. The final say was for Vermant, who headed a Siquet cross wide. A smooth victory for Club Brugge, which will start the Champions' Playoffs in two weeks with a 1-point deficit on Union.
Jupiler Pro League - Match day 30
Audience: 27,000 - Jan Breydel Stadium
Referee: Mr. Lawrence Visser
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet - Kyriani Sabbe (86' Hugo Siquet), Joel Ordóñez, Brandon Mechele, Joaquin Seys - Aleksandar Stanković, Raphael Onyedika, Hugo Vetlesen (75' Romeo Vermant) - Carlos Forbs (81' Shandre Campbell), Nicolò Tresoldi (86' Gustaf Nilsson), Christos Tzolis (81' Mamadou Diakhon).
Bench: Nordin Jackers, Ludovit Reis, Cisse Sandra and Jorne Spileers.
Coach: Ivan Leko.
KV Mechelen: Nacho Miras - Mory Konaté, Tommy St.Jago, Redouane Halhal (54' Bill Antonio) - Therence Koudou, Dikeni Salifou, Kerim Mrabti, José Marsà - Bilal Bafdili (69' Keano Vanrafelghem), Benito Raman (69' Hassane Bandé), Myron van Brederode.
Coach: Frederik Vanderbiest.
Yellow: Halhal.
Red: none
Goals: 2' Tresoldi (1-0), 22' Sabbe (2-0), 37' Sabbe (3-0), 55' Raman (3-1), 71' Mechele (4-1).