Club Brugge probably thought the trip to Beerschot would be quite simple. But like RSC Anderlecht, the Gazelles fell into Marwan Al-Sahafi’s trap.
After only a quarter of an hour, Club Brugge led by two goals on the Beerschot pitch, via goals from Roméo Vermant and Joaquin Seys. Each time, it was Bjorn Meijer who offered the decisive pass to deceive former Bruges goalkeeper Nick Shinton.
However, Beerschot did not intend to allow himself to be led to the slaughterhouse without resistance. Thibaud Verlinden and Marwan Al-Sahafi forced Simon Mignolet to make two good saves, and Bruges therefore remained well ahead at the break.
As soon as they returned from the locker room, Beerschot put their foot on the accelerator and put FC Bruges under the extinguisher. The Gazelles then cracked under the pressure: two goals from Marwan Al-Sahafithe Saudi star who had already defeated Anderlecht, reset the scorers (2-2).
As smooth and efficient as Club Brugge might have been in the first half, that was all gone after the two quick goals. The national champion was lost. The flowing combinations of the first half were gone Michal Skoras and Jorne Spileers entered the field to turn the tide unsuccessfully.
Worse for Bruges: Al-Sahafi thought he would get a penalty, but it ultimately didn’t happen. The end of the match will see the Blauw & Zwart push to regain the advantage, without success: the Rats offer themselves a match with the taste of victory.
