Stuttering start for Club Brugge as Standard Liege grab surprise win | OneFootball

Club Brugge’s title defence has got off to a stuttering start. The side could only draw their opening game against KV Mechelen but would have gone into Sunday’s clash with Standard Liege expecting a win. Their opponents have had to rely on free agents and loans to fill their squad that has seen a number of departures this summer, with owners 777 looking to sell the club. They came in after a 0-0 draw with Genk and will be delighted to have gotten a win over the defending champions. New signing Marko Bulat grabbed his first goal for the side and looked dangerous throughout.

Club will be frustrated that they were unable to convert their possession into goals. Despite having 68% of the ball, they ended with just six shots on target and an xG of 0.81. Standard’s young goalkeeper Matthieu Epolo made five saves to keep a second clean sheet of the season, another impressive display from the young Belgian.

While still early days, Nicky Hayen will be hoping that the side can grab three points against Genk next weekend to really kickstart their season. Other managers have suffered stuttering starts to the season as Club head coaches in recent years and ended up looking for new jobs before the end of the season.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson