Club Brugge vs Barcelona was starting in Belgium not many people predicted such an outburst of the champions league match. It was an unforgettable evening that came with six goals, two overruled VAR, three comebacks and one piece of individual brilliance by 17-year-old Lamine Yamal. It was a game that was full of controversy, skill, frustration and total chaos and both parties walked out of the pitch feeling that they had given their all but it is not enough.
The mood in the Jan Breydel stadium was also electric with Club Brugges causing a fearless start. Within half an hour, they had earned their aggression. The 21 years old Portuguese winger Carlos Forbs ran over pitch of Barcelona high defensive line and passed the ball back to Nicolo Tresoldi who tapped the ball home.
The feast of Brugges did not last long though. Only two minutes later, Barcelona retaliated with accuracy. Fermin Lopez delivered a low cross with his left and Ferran Torres was ready to strike a first time finish passed past the keeper. The initial encounters were of the exalted kind – end-to-end football, pressurizing to the break, and attacking motives not wanting. But it was wrong to suppose that the pace would reduce, as the fans were to do.
Forbs et Brugges Punish Barcelona Defence Shaky.
Beginning with Fermin Lopez striking the post with a curling shot that had appeared to be heading directly to the top corner – the first of three occasions that Barcelona would be denied by the woodwork.
And that was followed by another moratorium of the defensive line of Barca. Christos Tzolis cut through their high press, getting Forbs to the position where he cut him and Brugge was brought back in goal against Wojciech Szczesny. It was a conclusion which displayed calmness, yet, what was more to the point, it revealed the frailty of Barcelona in the defensive.
Forbs, an unscoring loan player at Wolves all of last season was the surprise of the night. His speed and timing time and again gaffed a sluggish Barcelona back line.
Barcelo was not an easy surrendering comrade. They were controlling the ball probing the goalkeeper and striking the woodwork again twice first by knocking it in with a header by Jules Kounde, then with the thunderbolt of a 30-yard shot by Eric Garcia. It all paid off when Lamine Yamal managed to take centre-stage and this persistence of the Catalans culminated.
Lamine Yamal: The Teenager who Played Like a Star.
This was a goal worthy of the glorious Barcelona attacking tradition as Lamine Yamal at the young age of 17 years produced a goal. Taking the ball on the right flank, he tricked through two defenders, exchanged a one-two pass with Dani Olmo, dodged another defender and carelessly fired into the net. It was an objective that reminded one of Lionel Messi during his younger age – blazing, an all-purpose, and completely impeccable one.
Yamal had scored with an equaliser 2-2 and changed the tide towards Barca. But the hosts were not done. After missing a good opportunity, Forbs reconciled himself a few moments later. He attached himself to a through ball by Hans Vanaken who had just the right weight and he chipped it over Szczesny to goal Club Brugge 3-2.
A controversial moment then ensued. Brugia was sentenced to a penalty by Anthony Taylor when Alex Balde seemingly tripped Forbs in the box. The decision was however given to be reversed after a long VAR review and this greatly surprised the home fans.
Barcelo availed himself of their reprieve to the uttermost. The right cross of Yamal which seemed a dangerous one was charged by Christos Tzolis turned against himself in one move, and made a hero then a villain.
3-3, and yet even the play had not ended.
VAR Drama Brugges deprives Victorious Win.
During the stoppage time the stadium erupted with Romeo Vermant sliding into defend Szczesny who had dallyed on the ball and then passing it to an empty net. Brugues felt as though they had won a masterpiece against Barcelona but briefly. However, the goal was disallowed after a foul on the Polish goalkeeper and this was a controversial decision following the intervention of VAR.
The last whistle was soon to come, awarding the two teams a draw and leaving them both, apparently, exhausted.
A Night of Mixed Emotions
To Club Brugge, the outcome was a two-sided one. Three times they had been leading and the penalty had been earned, and they even expected to have gained a late goal. But they only came out with one point. It was a magic night said Forbs at the end of the game. We had known that their high line was in places to be taken advantage of, and it was so. I would have scored higher but I am proud of the team.
Manager Nicky Hayen shared these sentiments saying his side performed remarkably courageously against one of the highest ranks in Europe. It was the best reason to tell why football is the most unpredictable game on earth as a perfect example was the Club Brugges vs Barcelona clash. It was a night to remember with six goals, controversies of VAR and breakout performances.
In the case of Brugges, it was evidence to show that they are one of the best in Europe. In the case of Barcelona, this was a reminder that talent is not enough, defensive discipline and tactical awareness should come after that.
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