David and Florucz deliver Union a hard-fought victory

The opening phase at the Duden Park was fiery. Both teams went full in on the duels, but that initially produced few clear-cut chances.

In the 8th minute, Cercle Brugge were awarded a free kick after a foul by Fedde Leysen. The defender stayed down after his tackle and had to be substituted due to injury. From the resulting free kick, Scherpen had to intervene immediately. He pushed the ball away, but on the rebound Cercle had a golden chance to take the lead. Brugge attacker Agyekum headed the ball just a few metres wide. A quick warning shot. Cercle then maintained most of the possession and circulated the ball well, but without creating real danger.

At the other end, Union came close with a big opportunity. Khalaili accelerated down the left and found Patris on the opposite side. He laid it off neatly to Rodriguez, who in turn set up Schoofs. Schoofs was able to strike, but couldn’t direct his shot on target.

Cercle threatened again shortly after on another set piece. A corner was flicked on towards an unmarked Brugge attacker, but Van de Perre had read the situation perfectly and intercepted.

A few minutes before halftime, Union finally got to celebrate. Khalaili intercepted a ball after Diakite lost possession and immediately launched the counter. He played it through to Schoofs, who picked out David. The Canadian fired, his shot deflected off a defender and bounced into the net: 1-0.

Union started the second half with the sharper focus. Patris won two duels in quick succession and played forward to David. With a clever backheel, David returned the ball to Patris, allowing Rodriguez to unleash a shot. A Brugge defender managed to throw himself in front of it at the last moment.

Cercle gradually took back the initiative. Around the hour mark the visitors created another dangerous moment, but again without reward. Moments later, they got a free kick just outside the box. Nazinho struck it, but the Brussels defence headed it away immediately. The follow-up header went over the bar.

The decisive blow came from a throw-in. The ball was flicked on first-time to Rodriguez, whose initial attempt went straight at the goalkeeper. The rebound fell back to his feet and his second effort dropped to substitute Florucz. The Austrian didn’t hesitate and smashed in the 2-0.

Cercle registered their first shot on target in the final minutes, but Scherpen was never troubled. Union stayed in control throughout and secured a deserved victory. On Tuesday, we travel to Istanbul for our next Champions League match against Galatasaray.