Cercle Brugge booked their ticket for the Champions Play-Offs and a shot at European football with a comfortable 4-0 win over RWDM on Sunday afternoon. Speaking after the game, midfielder Hannes Van der Bruggen and head coach Miron Muslic both confirmed that the side were not going to be there just to make up the numbers. Instead, the side want to qualify for European football next season.
However, prior to the home clash with RWDM, the side had to win and hope for help elsewhere. RWDM were also in need of points as they look to keep things close in the relegation play-offs, having known they would be facing them for some time now. However, RWDM showed very little fight and were bullied all game by a Cercle side that clearly wanted things a lot more. Kevin Denkey needed just four minutes to grab his 23rd goal of the season, with Edgaras Utkus making it 2-0 just after 20 minutes.
Almost immediately after the sides returned for the second-half Alan Minda made it 3-0. RWDM could only muster one shot on target all game as they barely troubled Warleson in the Cercle goal. Thibo Somers capped off a dominant Cercle performance to make it four late on, and with KV Mechelen failing to win in Leuven, Cercle were in to the top six. With points having been halved, they begin in fifth place, just two points behind city rivals Club Brugge in fourth and Antwerp in third.
This is quite a turnaround for a side that, just a few seasons ago was fighting against relegation. Pressure had been on the clubs ownership and sporting directors, with many questioning the Monaco link. However, strong recruitment and the appointment of Muslic has head coach has turned a young side into one of the most effective in the Pro League.
GBeNeFNÂ |Â Ben Jackson
