In Europe it works: Club Brugge is still shaking for a while, but records a satisfying victory in Switzerland

In Europe it works: Club Brugge is still shaking for a while, but records a satisfying victory in Switzerland

Club Brugge knows what winning is again. It was still exciting against Lugano, but hey, that made it all the sweeter. There was actually a leading role for… Eder Balanta.

Ronny Deila had asked for more fire, and that was just a word for the 2,000 Club supporters who traveled with him. The visitors’ section was ablaze before kick-off – that will be a fine.

Igor Thiago caused a clatter on the field, but not in the good sense of the word. The Brazilian runs through a wall if he has to, especially through an opponent, which is rarely a good idea. The Romanian ref got tired of the pounding sooner rather than later and gave Thiago a yellow card, after which a smart footballer would start to avoid the stupid mistakes. Not so with Thiago: he just kept pushing and was lucky that he made it to the break without being excluded.

It was no surprise that Deila brought Thiago off at half-time – the risk was too great. Week after week, Thiago highlights his flaws more and more. Not good.

In these times of crisis for Club, we – sympathetic as we are – do not feel like dwelling solely on the negative. We hereby shift the focus to Eder Balanta.

You might have forgotten about Balanta, and you might not even mind. After all, there is the idea about Balanta that he plays football with his shoes still in the boxes. Pure brute muscle power, as if he were a Jerommeke in a football outfit. However, the Colombian showed in Zurich, where he was in the starting line-up for the first time since January, that he can do more than just break. Scoring, for example.

On the fifteen minute mark, Zinckernagel dropped the ball into the box – a great cross – where Balanta threw his bare marble at it. Well done, important goal (0-1). On the sidelines, Deila cheered exuberantly – his choice paid off.

Photo: BELGIAN

Twenty-five coffees

Club Brugge was in control during the first half, as it always seemed to be in the competition, but then the goal kept coming. This time Club did not come under heavy pressure, helped by Lugano’s mediocre level, but also by the lucidity in the defensive zone of truth. Mechele and Spileers were in the right place several times to prevent worse, while star Balanta and Nielsen also worked hard to avoid losing the ball.

Deila’s plan was correct, but Club could have been more efficient – a trainer cannot control that. It could or should have had a reassuring two-goal bonus after 45 minutes. Killer mode has been a bit gone lately.

The exception to that rule this season is often Andreas Skov Olsen, a boy who apparently does not have to be great in the match to do phenomenal things. He got the ball on the right, came in and made a blistering and well-aimed shot (0-2). When observers talk about ‘sufficient quality’ at Club, they inevitably talk about Skov Olsen – we count the Dane among the best players in our competition.

In Europe it works: Club Brugge is still shaking for a while, but records a satisfying victory in Switzerland

Photo: BELGIAN

In normal circumstances, 0-2 should be more than enough to sit back, but Club is not a normal team these days. Lugano pressed and made it 1-2. Then even against a weak team you will have to tremble.

Lugano did it on commitment and grinta, following the example of his trainer, Mattia Croci-Torti. The man with the cap, who gives away his headgear after every loss of points out of superstition, was walking like a madman in front of his dugout – it looked as if he had drunk about twenty-five too many coffees. If we were a player, it wouldn’t inspire us to great deeds, but with Lugano’s it certainly created something.

Club started to falter, typical of a team that is not in good shape. It wouldn’t, would it? For a moment it seemed so when the referee pointed to the spot, but the VAR called the ref to the screen. No penalty. Oof.

With the ninetieth minute approaching, Vanaken turned out the lights with a clever header. 1-3. Job done, hats off.

In Europe it works: Club Brugge is still shaking for a while, but records a satisfying victory in Switzerland

Photo: BELGIAN

Speech Mannaert

This victory came at just the right time for Club. You cannot ignore the fact that there was a lot of nervousness around the club – CEO Vincent Mannaert reminded the players of their duties at the beginning of this week. That has not suddenly disappeared, for a club with these standards the three points for a Swiss mid-team in an empty stadium should be self-evident, but at least it provides a minimum of rest before another crucial match. Now Club must continue the line against champion Antwerp.

For once, only the result counted – European wintering is close -, not the manner in which. It is tricky to say that Club has now left for more, but there are elements on which we can build. Balanta’s contribution, for example…

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