Club Brugge and Anderlecht did not get any further than a goalless draw in the Jupiler Pro League on Sunday evening. The team of trainer Alfred Schreuder forgot to take advantage of the loss of points by leader Union Sint-Gillis, which also drew 0-0 against Royal Antwerp earlier in the day. As a result, Bruges still has to chase Union. The deficit in the play-offs for the national title is currently three points.
With the draw of Union Sint-Gillis earlier in the afternoon against Royal Antwerp, Club Brugge knew that a visit to Anderlecht could do good business in the title fight. Noa Lang was given a basic place among the visitors, while Ruud Vormer and Bas Dost started on the bench. Joshua Zirkzee and Wesley Hoedt could count on a base place on behalf of the home team. Goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen had to give way to Hendrik Van Crombrugge as second goalkeeper.
Almost Wesley Hoedt from own half!! † He sees the keeper standing further from his goal and gives it a try?? The keeper is alert enough and prevents a hit?#ZiggoSport #ProLeague #ANDCLU pic.twitter.com/T5gQjqYDOz
— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) May 1, 2022
Early in the game, Club Brugge screamed murder after Charles De Ketelaere was pushed in the back by Lisandro Magallán within the penalty area. Both referee Nathan Verboomen and the VAR on duty let the moment pass. Schreuder’s team dictated in the first fifteen minutes. Among other things, it resulted in a good chance for Lang, who came face to face with Van Crombrugge on the goalkeeper.
Both teams appeared to be looking for the dressing rooms with a 0-0 half-time score, but in the final seconds the home crowd bounced back when Hoedt almost scored a world goal from his own half. Goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, however, arrived just in time to make the save. Both Anderlecht and Bruges set a high tempo in the initial phase of the second half, but this did not yield any serious opportunities.
Halfway through the second act, the duel finally broke loose. Clinton Mata seemed to surprise Van Crombrugge with a hard shot against the post, which did not roll over the goal line through the back of the closing post. In the final phase, the game still wavered back and forth. This time there were plenty of chances on both sides. Benito Raman, who replaced the injured Zirkzee in the break, just didn’t have his sights sharp and Club Brugge didn’t get any further than a stray pass from Tajon Buchanan.