Club Brugge’s opener: Koyalipou denies Kortrijk twice as Leko’s side seeks balance

Club Brugge kicked off their new season at home against KV Kortrijk, seeking to recover from the Supercup defeat under Ivan Leko’s leadership.

KV Kortrijk quickly found their rhythm, with Ambrose testing Hanbeom before Campbell was denied by the first defender. The visitors’ left-back Anderson delivered a cross that narrowly missed its target, though the Scot had managed nine assists in Belgium’s second tier last season.

Club Brugge started strongly, but Kortrijk’s counterattacks proved dangerous. Ambrose broke free from Mechele to head towards Koyalipou, who headed wide under pressure from Jonckheere. The Belgian coach urged his team to capitalize, warning that such chances are rare against the reigning champions.

Kortrijk nearly took the lead when Hanbeom misjudged a long ball from Dejaegere. Koyalipou broke away, rounded Sommer, but the South Korean recovered to force the striker into a wide effort. Koyalipou then blazed over from a promising position, leaving his side stunned.

Club Brugge surged forward immediately after conceding. Ruyssen’s poor clearance allowed Seys to strike at Ilic, who made a sharp save. The home side then saw Ilic forced into a crucial intervention to deny Vanaken.

The 2026-2027 season is underway, with Club Brugge facing KV Kortrijk in their first league match. Can the promoted side pull off an upset against the champions?

Hanbeom and Potts impressed in training ahead of the match.

Meanwhile, Jan Virgili, the Spanish winger arriving from Mallorca for a reported €12 million release clause, was already in Brugge. He watched the game from the stands and is expected to be officially presented soon. The boat tour on the Bruges canals may feature in his unveiling video.

Michiel Jonckheere’s side failed to produce a miracle, with Shandre Campbell starting against his former club. Club Brugge fielded Ilic, Kohon, Ruyssen, Ndjeungoue, Campbell, Lambert, Dejaegere, Anderson, Masui, Ambrose, and Koyalipou under Leko.

Ivan Leko made few surprises in his lineup, giving starts to new signings Lee Hanbeom and Freddie Potts. The starting XI included Sommer, Sabbe, Hanbeom, Mechele, Seys, Potts, Vanaken, Vetlesen, Forbs, Tresoldi, and Diakhon.

Leko framed the match as a Champions League fixture, stressing that every game now counts without playoffs. “If you only start thinking about the title in March…” he said, emphasizing the urgency of competing from day one. He admitted readiness is hard to gauge but praised the new arrivals for their energy and quality.

“Others have left while our latest transfers—Freddie Potts and Hanbeom Lee—are just arriving,” Leko said. “I’m excited by what I see. They’re the players we wanted. They’re ready, have the right age, power, and quality. I love what I see.”

Club Brugge must stand tall from the outset. As a club accustomed to relying on playoffs for titles, Leko insisted: “That changes now. Today is a different story. KV Kortrijk is immediately a Champions League opponent. We need that Champions League atmosphere in the stands. That’s the only way to be successful.”

Leko added that the entire club, from management to cleaning staff, must adopt a Champions League mindset. “Everyone must live like this every second. For me, nothing changes—I push every second. But it’s my job to convince them.”

The club is still searching for additional wingers, with Carlos Forbs and Mamadou Diakhon in contention. Diakhon, who showed glimpses against Union, has been reminded of the demands at a big club: “He has the talent and potential. Now it’s time to stand up.”