Belgian side Club Brugge recorded a new victory in the Champions League. In the third round, the team managed by Croatian coach Ivan Leko defeated Lens 3-0 at home.
Brugge won with goals from Hans Vanaken in the 45th minute, Joaquin Seys in the 50th minute and Carlos Forbs in the 72nd minute. Vanaken found the best solution after a deflected ball and scored to make it 1-0 in first-half stoppage time. Seys increased the lead to 2-0 in the 50th minute, although goalkeeper Robin Risser saved his initial attempt. Forbs sealed the 3-0 victory in the 72nd minute.
Despite the convincing result, Brugge had significant problems in the first half against the French runners-up. Lens created chances, and Croatian striker Franjo Ivanović, playing for the visitors, hit the frame in the 13th minute, striking the crossbar. Home goalkeeper Yann Sommer saved the hosts on several occasions, while Jorne Spileers made a crucial intervention on the goal line to prevent a near-certain goal.
Ivan Leko gave a speech in the dressing room at half-time, and after the match he did not hide his satisfaction with the result, though he was not pleased with what he saw in the first half. He stated that there was a big difference between the first and second halves. In the first half, he said, they tried to control the game and defend what they did not have, appearing as if they were afraid to play. In the second half, he saw the team he wanted to watch, playing without hesitation and charging forward with full force, adding that he was proud of this result.
Brandon Mechele revealed that Leko had injected fire into the team, being sharp but fair. Leko’s team beat two serious European opponents in a span of just eight days. Last week they won 4-3 against Inter at the San Siro, with the victory over Inter coming eight days ago.
After three played rounds of the Champions League, Club Brugge holds 11th place in the table with six points earned. In the next round, Leko’s team travel to play PSV. Brugge has recorded six consecutive wins in all competitions and scored 18 goals in those six victories. Ivan Leko (48) continues to impress in the Champions League.
