Club Brugge wins without much surplus (and thanks to a penalty) against Genk in the first leg of the semi-final in the Croky Cup

Club Brugge can dream of the cup final, although it had little surplus against Genk. In an exciting showdown between the two best teams in the country, a penalty made the difference. On February 5, the champion will defend a 2-1 lead in Limburg.

Third match of the year, third victory, in just nine days. Club Brugge remains on pace, although the first semi-final against competition leader Genk could just as well have ended in a draw. But Christos Tzolis, already good for two goals in the quarter-final against Union, claimed a leading role again. The Greek provided an assist and a goal and thus gave his team a small bonus. In three weeks, after the Champions League confrontations against Juventus and Manchester City, the national champions will go to the Cegeka Arena to enforce a first cup final since 2020.

It was a hard-fought victory, although Racing Genk was initially down. Especially when Club put pressure in the opening quarter, the Limburgers were unable to find a solution in terms of football. Early on, blue-black got the kind of chance that led to the lead in Anderlecht. Talbi crossed to Jutgla, but goalkeeper Penders was right in between. Moments later, Club’s right winger’s match seemed over. In a draw duel with Kayembe, Talbi’s shoulder dislocated. The 19-year-old youth product fought hard, despite the pain, but his share in the match decreased. Playback was still successful, but he seemed limited in his actions. He left just after the hour. Let’s wait and see how useful Talbi is in the coming matches, because victims of a shoulder dislocation are already out.

Halfway through the first half, Club forgot to take advantage. At first Jutgla decided too selfishly, as he slipped away. A minute later, after a nice opening from Jashari, the sea was open, but Tzolis completely missed his cross to the incoming Jutgla.

Until then, Genk had only caused a stir in a standard situation, when Smets managed to lead a free kick from Steuckers. Heynen went under. However, just after Club’s chances, Genk grew. Tolu found his feet and even scored after a conversion. Steuckers with the incisive cross, on the approaching Tolu: 0-1, his first goal of the new year. Ordoñez let it happen too easily and reacted too late.

But, the 20-year-old Ecuadorian would correct that mistake. He towered over Heynen on a corner from Tzolis: 1-1. A whining Bonsu Baah felt that he was being crushed in the phase before the corner, goalkeeper Penders then claimed to be blocked by De Cuyper at the corner. Referee Lawrence Visser and VAR Lothar D’Hondt didn’t like it.

Just before half time, Nordin Jackers, who were again favored over Mignolet in the cup, had a good intervention when Kayembe pushed through. Just to say that halfway through it could have gone either way. In contrast to their previous clash, Genk was now on the appointment.

This also became apparent after halftime. It remained a tough match of arm wrestling but neither team budged. Jashari ruled in midfield for a while, Vanaken delivered a shot, but the really big opportunities did not materialize. Jutgla on the hour could have done better with a ball from Talbi, though.

Domme tik sadick

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Talbi tried to provoke a penalty, in vain. Immediately afterwards he left and Skoras came in. That brought some extra momentum to the front. Moreover, the batteries seemed to be running out at Genk, especially at the front at Tolu. Club pulled the ball towards them, but Vanaken was unable to finish. And then there was Jutgla, who gladly went down after a cross from Skoras after a tap on Sadick’s heel. Cunningly provoked but also clumsy from the Genk defender, who had already flirted with a second yellow card in previous matches. Visser was called to the screen and pointed to the dot. Tzolis converted it flawlessly and provocatively stood in front of Sadick: 2-1.

Genk coach Fink threw Karetsas, Oh and Adedeji-Sternberg into the fray, but it was Club that forgot to finish the match a few times. Oh also tried to get a penalty, but he pulled at least as much on De Cuyper. The 2-1 remained on the board, although there was still a bit of trembling in the final minute. Club remains on schedule, although it could still be a thriller in Genk in three weeks. But first, five more games (!) to complete.

Club Brugge: Mignolet, Sabbe (80′ Meijer), Mechele, Ordonez, De Cuyper, Onyedika (80′ Nielsen), Jashari, Vanaken, Talbi (63′ Skoras), Tzolis (86′ Vermant), Jutgla (86′ Nilsson)

Genk: Penders, El Ouahdi, Sadick (73′ Cuesta), Smets, Kayembe, Heynen, Hrosovsky (’73 Karetsas), Bangoura, Steuckers, Bonsu Baah (73′ Sternberg), Tolu (73′ Hyeon-Gyu).

Goals: 28′ Tolu (Steuckers) 0-1, 34′ Ordonez (Tzolis) 1-1, 73′ Tzolis (penalty) 2-1

Yellow cards: 30′ Sadick, 35′ Bonsu Baah, 40′ Bangoura, 83′ Vanaken, 90′ De Cuyper, 90′ Vermant

Red cards:

Referee: Lawrence Visser

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