Cercle Brugge set for relegation play-off after second half capitulation against already relegated Beerschot | OneFootball

Cercle Brugge will face the winner of the Challenger Pro League play-offs after they finished second in the Pro League relegation play-offs. The side could have secured their place in the Pro League next season if they had beaten Beerschot, who were already relegated, as Sint Truiden could only draw against Kortrijk, who were also already relegated. After 45 minutes, Cercle were winning and looked to be on course for safety.

However, they capitulated in embarrassing fashion in the second half to end up losing 4-2 and consigning themselves to a two legged clash with either Lokeren or Patro Eisden. Beerschot defender Apostolos Konstantopoulos scored twice inside the space of two minutes to make it 2-1, before two penalties helped Dirk Kuyt’s side take a 4-1 lead after 78 minutes. Cercle did manage a late consolation from Paris Brunner, but they now must quickly turn things around to keep themselves in the Pro League.

It is a far cry from the end of the 2023/2024 season for the green and black half of Brugge, who were participating in the Championships play-offs and earning a spot in European football under Miron Muslic. They will certainly be favourites, regardless of who they face, in the two legged affair. However, this capitulation in a game that they had to win will be concerning for the clubs fanbase.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson