Ruud Vormer personally gave Club Brugge a 2-0 victory over KV Kortrijk on Friday evening. The midfielder scored both goals in the Jan Breydel Stadium, the last of which was given by compatriot Noa Lang. With the win, Club Brugge takes over the lead from KAS Eupen for the time being, which, like the rest of the pursuers, still has to come into action later this weekend.
Club Brugge, which started with Vormer and brand new the Dutch international Lang in the base and with Bas Dost on the bench, created danger for the first time after eleven minutes. Vormer almost found Lang, but saw his flawless cross work over the back line. The players of Bruges then had opportunities via Charles De Ketelaere and again Vormer (twice), before the latter opened the score. Ex-PSV player Trent Sainbury put down Kamal Sowah and from the free kick that followed, the Vormer curled the ball past goalkeeper Marko Ilic.
It marked the first goal since August for Vormer, at an important moment. The midfielder stayed on the reserve bench for 90 minutes during the Champions League game against Paris Saint-Germain (1-1) last month and partly because of this apparently began to doubt his leadership qualities, which prompted him to surrender his captaincy. Thanks to trainer Philippe Clement, however, Vormer remained the captain and just before half-time he also signed for his second: Lang gave the front from the left and the passing Vormer was able to tap the ball in.
After the break, Club Brugge continued to hunt for a third goal, but always found Ilic in its way. In the meantime, carelessness in his own game meant that goalkeeper Simon Mignolet had to address his defense a few times. With 21 minutes left on the clock, Dost came within the lines to finally put the lock on the door, only Kortrijk took the game. Kristof D’Haene in particular appeared dangerously for Mignolet a number of times, but the wing defender of KV Kortrijk did not have his sights sharp. Without really getting into trouble, Club Brugge finished the game and can prepare for the meeting with Manchester City next Tuesday in the Champions League.