Cercle Brugge took the three points against Antwerp on Sunday. Lars Friis's side sit 18th with just three points from nine games and a goal difference of minus ten, having recorded zero wins, three draws and six losses. They trail leaders Club Brugge KV by 24 points.
The need was urgent after a previous defeat, which saw striker Dante Vanzeir sent off, meaning he was suspended for Sunday. The ban is for one effective match, with a further one suspended.
The coach stressed that the solution must come from within the group.
Match Information
The clash with Antwerp took place on Sunday at the Jan Breydel Stadium. It was the tenth matchday of the season. Antwerp currently have ten points from nine games. For Cercle, it was their first home game since a 2-1 win over Antwerp on November 1st, a result that offers hope. That day, T. Akinsola scored twice from S. Ngoura assists. This result followed a heavy 5-2 defeat to Union St. Gilloise on October 25th, where S. Ngoura and an own goal provided the consolations.
The club was celebrating Halloween in green and black, but tickets were only available online until kick-off. The stadium ticket office was closed on Sunday, but was open on Saturday from 10am to noon. Supporters could also use the Antwerp package, offering a twenty percent discount for matches against Antwerp, Westerlo and KV Mechelen.
Recent Form
Cercle were coming off a 3-0 win in the Croky Cup against Sporting Hasselt, but league results remain disappointing. Their recent form over the last five league games is two wins and three losses. That run also included a 1-2 home defeat to Anderlecht on October 10th and a 3-2 away loss at Charleroi on September 19th. After Antwerp, an away trip to 15th-placed RAAL La Louvière awaits on Saturday, November 7th. The full fixtures schedule is available online.
The defence, which has already conceded 21 goals, is under pressure. Their own attack has produced eleven strikes, including two from Akinsola in the last meeting. Without Vanzeir, the team had to find other solutions. Cercle Brugge concluded the matchday on Sunday evening, hoping for a second win of the season.
The report in full is at cerclebrugge.be
Cercle Brugge confirmed on Monday that the 2-1 victory over Antwerp has passed the last place to KV Kortrijk. The team is now 17th in the Jupiler Pro League, sharing the second-to-last spot with OH Leuven. Cercle now has six points from ten games. The club has scored 13 goals and conceded 22.
