Questionable penalty makes the difference: Club Brugge goes to the second match against Genk with a small bonus

GNK

CLU

Croky Cup – matchday 1 – 15/01/25 – 20:45

The advantage lies with Club Brugge. Blauw-zwart won the first leg of the semi-finals in the cup 2-1 against Racing Genk. In an enjoyable match, both teams scored once before halftime. Fifteen minutes before the end, Tzolis gave the home team a bonus after a questionable penalty.

Club Brugge – Racing Genk in a nutshell:

1. Key moment

   Jutgla is in a position where he can no longer take a shot at goal, but Sadick still taps him into the box. Very light, but after VAR intervention it is enough for a penalty. Tzolis can help Club score the winning goal fifteen minutes before the end.

2. Man of the match

   Goal number 12 for Christos Tzolis this season. Club Brugge’s top scorer once again proved his worth to the national champion. The importance of his penalty did not faze him, the Greek rammed his penalty straight into the middle of the goal.

3. Remarkable

   Club Brugge also reached the semi-finals last season and also won the first leg 2-1 on its own field. Union was able to turn the tide and advanced to the final thanks to a 2-0 win in the second leg. Can Club avoid such a scenario this year?

4. Statistics

   Club continues its unbeaten run unabated, the counter now stands at 17 games without a defeat. A trend also continues in Genk, but a negative one. The Limburgers have now lost 5 of the last 6 confrontations with Club.

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An unnecessary mistake by Sadick twenty minutes before the end. One that could really upset KRC Genk. The competition leader seemed to be on its way to a fair 1-1 draw until Sadick Jutgla tapped in the box. After VAR intervention, referee Visser pointed to the spot and Tzolis did not miss the opportunity.

Club Brugge played it maturely afterwards and even tried to score a third goal, but it never came. Blauw-zwart can start the second match in Genk on February 5 with a small bonus.

A boost, especially because the evening had not started well for Club. After a cautious start, Nicky Hayen’s team was the team with the most threat for a long time. Halfway through the first half the way to the 1-0 was open, but a disastrous ball touch from Tzolis decided otherwise.

A painful miss, because just before the half hour Genk took the lead against the flow of the game. Steuckers delivered a wonderful cross and Ordonez was defeated by Tolu.

A mistake that the Club defender made up for himself about five minutes later. On a corner, Ordonez jumped higher than Heynen and his cutting header bounced untenably into the goal: 1-1.

Club Brugge posed more of a threat in the second half, but the home team often did not play well or Genk defended strongly. The visitors escaped, among other things, when Jutgla shot over a big chance rashly.

They were unable to escape when the same Jutgla crashed in the box and Tzolis flawlessly converted the penalty. Excitement assured for the return match in Genk.

• Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge): We could have played it a little better in their box at certain times. If we made more efficient and smarter choices there, it could have increased here. But we came back well after that deficit and continue with a good feeling. In that one-two with Skoras, Kayembe closed it well and I could no longer shoot. Sometimes there are so many people in front of you that you have to make a choice in a tenth of a second. Sometimes it is good, sometimes less so. We didn’t take some moments today, but all in all we can be satisfied with 2-1. In cup matches it sometimes depends on a bit of luck. We will also need that in Genk to qualify for the final.”
• Maxim De Cuyper (Club Brugge): “I think it’s a deserved victory. Genk had some chances at the end, but other than that I can’t think of any chances. Looking at the whole match, we were just a little better. We might have had it a little better.” can play out, it will now have to happen in Genk.”
• Nicky Hayen (trainer Club Brugge): “A month ago we conceded such a penalty. If it was a penalty then, the ball should also be on the spot today. It was a pleasant match with two teams trying to keep each other in balance. If the balance goes to one side has to lean, then it’s our way. We created enough clear-cut chances, but we wanted to do it too well and lost too many chances. We sometimes gave the pass too much is in a good flow, so we knew it would be a difficult match. That will be no different on February 5, but we leave with a goal lead and we will do everything we can to get to that final.”