Club beats Seraing 3-2 | OneFootball

Club Brugge secured a 3-2 win against Seraing. Bas Dost gave Club a double lead, but the visitors halved the deficit through Jallow. Cisse Sandra scored his first goal for the blue and black on the stroke of half-time, but Del Fabro pulled one back for the visitors before the half-time whistle. Despite the number of chances after the break, either team could score a goal.

Club Brugge coach Philippe Clement rested a number of players following the two intense games against Genk and with the Champions League fixture against Paris Saint-Germain in mind. Vanaken, Sobol, Balanta and Sowah were on the bench, while Federico Ricca, Bas Dost, Noah Mbamba and Cisse Sandra were given the nod. With the 16-year-old Mbamba and the 17-year-old Sandra Club Brugge had two minors in the starting line-up for the first time since 1974. Just like Club, Seraing had played 120 minutes in the Belgian cup, but contrary to Club the Métallos lost on penalties against Anderlecht.

The first danger of the game was for the visitors, when Mbamba's pass to Mignolet was too short and Mechele had to clear. On the other side of the pitch Sandra's pass to De Ketelaere in front of goal was too heavy and Dost aimed too high on the turn, from close range. Just over fifteen minutes of play Vormer was brought down inside the box by Bernier and the referee had no choice but to point to the spot. Bas Dost took his responisiblity and slotted home the penalty. Two minutes later Lang whipped in a cross towards Dost, but he headed just wide. After a good attacking move from Lang, the Dutchman drilled the ball into the side-netting.

Club was rewarded with another goal on the half-hour mark when Lang feeded Dost and the striker bagged his second of the evening. The goal was immediately followed with a third one, but the offside was - rightfully - raised. The visitors responded through Mikautadze, but he saw his low drive saved by Mignolet. A few minutes later Mignolet was beaten after all when Jallow was sent through on goal and he rounded Club's No.1 before rolling it into the empty net.

Club reacted immediately. De Ketelaere squared it to Cisse Sandra in front of goal who brushed it in brilliantly with his left foot. But it was still not over: Seraing halved the deficit again before the half-time whistle, when Del Fabro headed in Maziz' free-kick.

Seraing believed in their chances to get something out of this game. Just after the break Maziz' bicycle kick went over the crossbar and Mikautadze forced Mignolet into making a diving save. Club created a fluster of chances as well to restore the two-goal balance, but Mata's effort was blocked and De Ketelaere headed the rebound centimeters over the bar. Goalkeeper Dietsch needed to make a save on attempts by Ricca and De Ketelaere again. Maziz tried to level things up for the visitors, but he was thwarted by Mignolet.

It was a free flowing match with chances for both sides. Jallow curled an effort just wide of the far post, while Ricca and Mata were unlucky with their long-range efforts. Dost had chances to complete his hat-trick. He missed in front of Dietsch - but the offside flag was raised nevertheless - and feeded his countryman Lang twice: his first shot sailed over the target, his second was disallowed because Dost was in an offside position.

The final minutes of the game were intense. Mikautadze aimed too high and referee Boucaut let play continue when Nsambu was brought down inside the box. Club's best chance was for Cisse Sandra, but his shot took a deflection before it was kept out by Dietsch. Despite the number of chances, either team could find the back of the net in the second half so it remained 3-2. Club stays close to league leaders Union who are four points clear.

Jupiler Pro League – Fixture 17 Attendance: 26.000 – Jan Breydelstadion Referee: Alexandre Boucaut Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet – Clinton Mata (88’ Stanley Nsoki), Jack Hendry, Brandon Mechele, Federico Ricca - Ruud Vormer (63’ Hans Vanaken), Noah Mbamba (63’ Mats Rits), Charles De Ketelaere – Cisse Sandra, Bas Dost (80’ Wesley Moraes), Noa Lang. Bank: Senne Lammens, Eduard Sobol, Éder Balanta, Faitout Maouassa en Kamal Sowah. Coach: Philippe Clement. RFC Seraing: Guillaume Dietsch – Yahya Nadrani, Dario Del Fabro, Benjamin Boulenger – Antoine Bernier (82’ Mansoni Nsambu), Sami Lahssaini (76’ Marius Mouandilmadji), Ibrahima Cissé, Youssef Maziz, Gérald Kilota – Georges Mikautadze, Ablie Jallow. Coach: Jordi Condom. Yellow cards: Bernier, Cissé, Nadrani, Boulenger. Red cards: none Goals: 17’ Dost (penalty, 1-0), 30’ Dost (2-0), 42’ Jallow (2-1), 44’ Sandra (3-1), 45+1’ Del Fabro (3-2).

Report - Steven Floin