Club Brugge wins 18th Belgian league title
Blauw-Zwart (the Blue and Black) has won its 18th Belgian league title in its history following a 1-3 win at R. Antwerp FC. This is Club Brugge’s third league title in a row and its fourth in five years.
Club Brugge was second best for almost a whole season, but last week they seized control. Outsider R. Union Saint-Gilloise, which played its way from 1B straight to the top of the Jupiler Pro League, had been in the lead since matchday 11 in the regular competition. But in a double confrontation with the Brussels-based team, Club Brugge booked two crucial victories in the Champions' Play-offs.
The West-Flemish team pushed through their advantage on Sunday afternoon by beating R. Antwerp FC 1-3 away on the penultimate matchday. Club Brugge took full advantage of the Champions' Play-offs. With 7 goals scored and only one conceded, thanks to an excellent Simon Mignolet, the team of departing coach Alfred Schreuder won 13 out of 15 points. Club continues its unbeaten run of 13 matches, only one of which (in and against Anderlecht) ended in a draw.
With three league titles in a row, Club Brugge has matched its record (1976-1978) dating back to the seventies under legendary coach Ernst Happel. Blauw-Zwart has also secured its fifth Champions League group stage in a row.
All other positions in the Champions' Play-offs have also been decided one matchday from the end. After an improbable season, R. Union SG has to settle for second place, which is now secure after the 0-2 victory on the field of city rival RSC Anderlecht. That also means the ticket for the third qualifying round of the Champions League goes to this lovable Brussels-based team. Playing in the Champions League next season may soothe the pain of a missed league title.
After its fourth successive derby defeat against R. Union Saint-Gilloise, RSC Anderlecht has finished third which puts them in the last qualifying round of the Conference League. Because cup winners KAA Gent - who qualified for the last qualifying round of the Europa League - won the Europe Play-offs, R. Antwerp FC doesn't have to play a decider. The Great Old will play in the second qualifying round of the Conference League next season.
