The damage was limited, but a quarter-final in the Champions League seems out of reach. After all, the Portuguese Benfica turned out to be a size too big for Club Brugge, which went down 0-2 after a solid defense – and two defensive misses.
LOOK. The five key moments from Club Brugge-Benfica
Money time in Jan Breydel – Club Brugge finally got to work in the second round of the Champions League. Scott Parker surprised again, this time with Odoi in midfield and Lang again as false nine. Yaremchuk started on the bench against his ex-club Benfica, which obviously hoped to get the job done in the first leg.
Just like against Union – and this time against the odds – Club got off to an encouraging start. With good pressure forward and immediately a big chance for Buchanan. The Canadian hit Vlachodimos hard from a sharp angle. After ten minutes, a strong Lang took his chance from range, but his effort went over. Blue-black immediately in full Champions League mode.
Club was on top until the twentieth minute. Benfica took over and created a handful of good chances in ten minutes. Miraculously, it remained 0-0, while blue-black gasped for breath. However, Olympia exploded with the break in sight. Odoi’s header ended up in goal, but unfortunately for Club the flag went up. Odoi was in an offside position, the opening goal was disallowed. All in all, the people of Bruges could be satisfied with the score halfway. Even though their first half wasn’t that bad.
LOOK. Odoi’s goal disallowed for offside
After Club quickly escaped a deficit in the second half, it was still a prize in minute 50. Mechele and Hendry looked at each other, the latter eventually arrived too late and knocked Gonçalo Ramos down in the box. Mignolet had a hand on João Mario’s penalty kick, but the ball went in through the crossbar. With some delay, the 0-1 on the board.
LOOK. João Mario puts Benfica ahead with a penalty kick
Both teams balanced each other for a while without being dangerous. Under the impetus of a strong Noa Lang, Club looked for a goal, but it was not even possible to create a chance. Benfica kept everything neatly closed in the back, lurking for one striking counter. As time went on, the Portuguese once again took control of the game. Without decorating many opportunities yourself, of course. Club gave it all again in the final phase, but did not come close to equalizing. Substitute and returning Jutglà could not change that either. In the absolute final phase, David Neres, who had broken through, turned off the lights. He made it 0-2 face to face with Mignolet, which makes it seem over and out for Club.
LOOK. Neres punishes Meijer’s blunder for the 0-2
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