Football Season Guide

Club Brugge won their nineteenth title last season. It was far from an easy achievement. Blue and Blacks finished the regular season outside the top 3 and full 19 points behind the leaders Union Sait-Gilloise. However, Club Brugge reached their peak during the play-offs. They ended up being the only undefeated team in the post season – 7 wins and 3 draws. This was enough to see them edged Union by a single point in the title race. Igor Thiago’s 18 league goals were vital for this triumph. The Brazilian was sold this summer though and his absence is likely to be felt. Already found a replacement. Signed the main striker of the vice-champions Union Saint-Gilloise Gustaf Nilsson, who also impressed last season with his 16 league goals. The Swedish forward will be the new number nine. Club Brugge enjoyed a deep run in Europe last season too. They showed that they can handle well the demand of European and domestic matches, so hopes are this to repeat itself. There have been no other major departures so far this summer. Coach Nicky Hayen was only in a caretaker role during the play-offs last term. This after Delia was sacked at the end of the regular season. However, after the impressive play-off run Hayen was given the job permanently in the summer. He likes the 4-2-3-1 shape and is expected to continue using it. Youngster Jorne Spileers lost his regular starting role once Hayen took over last spring. However, the manager talked how impressed he has been with Spileers this summer and the promising centre-back could be given much more minutes this season. Captain Vanaken will remain the main creative force in midfield. The signing of the defensive midfielder Ardon Jashari could allow Vanaken to play even further up the pitch. The recent signing of winger Christos Tzolis suggest that very soon Antonio Nusa will be sold too. Nusa was never a regular starter despite his high promise, so the adding of Tzolis is seen as an upgrade on the left flank.