Brugge, Belgium — Cercle Brugge secure a decisive 3-1 victory over Patro Eisden in the promotion/relegation play-offs, solidifying their position in the Jupiler Pro League.
In a match held on May 23, 2025, Cercle Brugge showcased their dominance from the start, scoring their first goal just five minutes into the game. Flavio Nazinho broke through the Patro defense and calmly slotted the ball into the net to make it 1-0.
Cercle continued to press, and in the 24th minute, Felipe Augusto converted a penalty after Nazinho was fouled inside the box, extending the lead to 2-0. ‘That was a crucial moment for us; we needed to take our chances,’ said Cercle coach Bernd Storck.
Patro struggled to find their rhythm, with several attempts thwarted by a strong Cercle defense. However, they managed to pull one back in the 67th minute when Jellert Van Landschoot scored after a beautiful setup by Abid, making it 2-1.
Cercle responded quickly, re-establishing a two-goal cushion just 11 minutes later when Erick scored from a well-placed pass from Malamine Efekele, sealing the game at 3-1. ‘We showed resilience and determination; I’m proud of my team,’ Storck added.
The match marked an important step for Cercle Brugge as they look to secure their place in the league. Following a comprehensive win of 5-1 against Patro in the first leg, Cercle remains vigilant. ‘We learned a lesson from our defeat against Wisla; we can’t afford to become complacent,’ warned Hannes Van der Bruggen from Cercle.
The game also included notable substitutions, with Tomas Pietermaat replacing Vancy Mabanza and Henk Dijkhuizen coming on for Kevin Kis, highlighting Patro’s attempts to adjust their strategy.
Despite their best efforts, Patro’s defense was unable to contain the relentless attacks from Cercle, leading to their downfall in this pivotal match.
The match concluded with a standing ovation for Cercle captain Thibo Somers as he was substituted in what could potentially be his last home game for the club.
Looking ahead, Cercle Brugge aims to maintain their momentum in the upcoming matches, as they firmly believe they can avoid relegation.
