Cercle Bruges suffered their first defeat on Sunday during the Champions Playoffs against Antwerp. On Wednesday the team will have to travel to Anderlecht and that could be a problem.
Cercle Bruges had the best chances in the first half against Antwerp, but were unable to capitalize on them. Denkey had a big chance before the break and Van der Bruggen’s shot went close to the post.
For only the second time in 2024, in which Cercle played 14 matches, the team failed to score. “We had our chances, but we have to exploit them,” admitted coach Miron Muslic.
Cercle’s defense gives Music headaches
In the second half, Cercle conceded a goal, which led to their first defeat in these Champions Playoffs. At the end of the match, four Cercle players also received a yellow card.
Van der Bruggen and Somers expressed their dissatisfaction about this and the former was even allegedly insulted by the referee (READ HERE). Something to worry about Miron Musical. In the first half, defender Utkus was injured, Daland received his third yellow card of the Playoffs and was suspended.
There’s also Popovic’s suspension, meaning Muslic will be without three centre-backs against Anderlecht. “I don’t know how I will compose our defense. But we will still try to surprise,” he admitted.
Cercle and Anderlecht meet on Wednesday evening on the Lotto Park pitch as part of the fifth day of the Champions Playoffs. The first of two confrontations between the two teams who will meet again on Sunday at the Jan Breydelstadion.
