UnionCercle Brugge27′ – Goal – Mohamed Amoura (1 – 0)31′ – Goal – Gustaf Nilsson (2 – 0)33′ – Goal – Kevin Denkey (2 – 1)48′ – Yellow – Kevin Denkey49′ – Yellow – Thibo Somers63 ‘ – Cont. Boris Popovic by Senna Miangue64′ – Cont. Alan Minda by Yann Gboho65′ – Cont. Gustaf Nilsson by Kevin Rodríguez73′ – Cont. Mohamed Amoura by Dennis Eckert Ayensa73′ – Cont. Mathias Rasmussen by Lazare Amani76′ – Cont. Flavio Nazinho by Kazeem Olaigbe79′ – Yellow – Nils de Wilde88′ – Cont. Nils de Wilde by Romaric Etonde90+1′ – Cont. Alessio Castro-Montes by Casper Terho90+1′ – Cont. Cameron Puertas by Noah Sadiki90+3’ – Yellow – Charles Vanhoutte
Jupiler Pro League – matchday 16 – 03/12/23 – 19:17
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27′
Mohamed Amoura
27′
Mohamed Amoura
1 – 0
31′
Gustaf Nilsson
31′
Gustaf Nilsson
2 – 0
33′
Kevin Denkey
2 – 1
Kevin Denkey
33′
Union retains its bonus of 4 points over first pursuer Anderlecht. On a winter football evening, Amoura and Nilsson showed the leader the way against difficult customer Cercle Brugge. Goalgetter Denkey responded quickly, but a second goal was not scored.
Union – Cercle Brugge in a nutshell:
Key moment: In minute 27 Amoura opens the score, 4 minutes later the 2-0 is already on the board. Denkey scores the tying goal 2 minutes later, but Cercle would never be able to reverse the deficit.
Man of the Match: Amoura was involved in both goals and once again shows that he is of enormous value to Union. He would also sign for the 3-1, but that was ultimately rightly flagged.
Striking: Union’s series continues. In the last 10 matches they have not lost a single time, only a draw against Ghent means that the report is not perfect.
Striking (2): Both Amoura’s and Denkey’s names appeared on the scoreboard again today. Both attackers have 9 and 11 goals, but have not yet provided a single assist in our competition.
Double whammy in 5 minutes
With Union-Cercle Brugge we got an attractive ending to the 16th matchday on paper. Also on the lawn – which seemed unplayable due to the heavy snowfall – we were eventually served a very tasty dessert from this football Sunday.
Both the people of Brussels and Bruges started the game with an open mind, resulting in early opportunities on both sides. Yet it was Cercle’s visitors who took control of the match after the opening minutes.
Cashing in on that dominance with a goal was not possible. On the contrary, just before the half hour mark it was Union that flatteredly took the lead through Amoura. The lightning-fast attacker escaped in the back of the defense and cleverly put the ball away.
And less than 5 minutes later, the heavy blow to Cercle Brugge was a fact. Once again Amoura managed to find space in the back of the defense, this time opting for the cross. Lapoussin cracked his volley, but found Nilsson, who was able to run in.
Suspense until the end
Match played, you would think. But there is also a striker on the other side who only needs half a chance. On a free kick two minutes after the 2-0, the ball falls at Denkey’s feet. He polishes the ball in the short corner and keeps Cercle in the game.
But in the second half, the people of Bruges would fade away little by little and have to leave control to the home team. 20 minutes from the end, Amoura finally made the redeeming 3-1, but the party was canceled due to offside by assist provider Rasmussen.
And so the tension remained in the Dudenpark until the final whistle, because in a final offensive Cercle was able to threaten twice more.
But the equalizer was not scored and the Unionists ultimately deserved to keep the 3 points at home. Cercle sees Antwerp and Club leapfrog in the rankings.
Miron Muslic: “Union is a great team”
Miron Muslic (coach Cercle Brugge): “We missed a great opportunity here to bring home a point. We tried everything until the end, but it wasn’t to be. Union is merciless and punishes everything, that’s why they stand also first. But we proved that we can also handle top teams away from home. And I think they are a great team. Thank you for the welcome and I will certainly be present next Thursday with a large scarf to support them against Liverpool.”
Alexander Blessin (Union coach): “The circumstances were not easy, but I am happy with the victory. We should have decided the game earlier, because now it became even more dangerous. I saw some of my players with their backs to the ball are in the final phase, they are no longer putting pressure. That could have cost us points and I find that unacceptable. But this was a good reaction after the match against Toulouse. And that Amoura walked in angry? I will discuss that tomorrow with him.”
Phase by phase
It’s a wrap!
After an attractive Sunday evening match in which we were not bored for a second, leader Union keeps the 3 points at home. The final score was already on the board at half time, although there were certainly plenty of chances on both sides in the second half.
Rodriguez gets the chance to completely decide the match on the counter, but runs into Warleson. This always had to be the 3-1.
Almost still 2-2!
Once again we get a pinball machine in the 16 of Union. Daland is ultimately the lucky one who can lash out, but Burgess still throws himself in for it. Another great opportunity!
Vanhoutte also collects another card against his ex-club. He interrupted an attack.
Now it really is “long haul, home fast” as far as Union is concerned.
Geert Heremans on Radio 1
5 – extra time
An extra 5 minutes will be added.
Denkey taps over!
At the far post, Denkey suddenly appears alone with a cross from the left. The Togolese can still put his foot against it, but not enough to push the ball against the ropes. Great chance in the absolute final!
De Wilde can test Moris again on the other side, but his place ball lacks power. A minute later the midfielder staggers to the side, looking completely exhausted.
Lazare lays wide
Puertas reaches the back line and then pulls back to Rodriguez. He continues to spin and lays the ball ready for Lazare, but he aims the ball from the box next to Warleson’s cage.
Cercle is trying to launch a final offensive, but cannot get past the heavy blows of Union for the time being. Of course they like long balls and duels.
De Wilde took the sting out of a Union counter with a clear foul and was also fined. It is gradually becoming all or nothing for the visitors.
On a free kick, the ball hangs for a moment in front of Moris’ goal. The Union defense is eventually able to tap the ball away, but the ball ends up with De Wilde. He tries with a far place ball, Moris pushes over.
2023-12-03 21:14:28
#goals #minutes #Union #hold #Cercle #Brugge
