Lifeline in Brugge: Dante Vanzeir has given Cercle Brugge an outside chance of escaping the bottom four | OneFootball

Dante Vanzeir’s move to Cercle Brugge had, until this past weekend, not gone as well as either Cercle Brugge or the player would have hoped. The former Union St Gilloise and New York Red Bulls striker had yet to score since joining Cercle Brugge from Gent. How ironic then, that his first goal for the green and black half of Brugge would come against Gent. Just before half-time the striker struck to earn Cercle Brugge all three points and give them hope of escaping the bottom four by the end of the regular season.

Ever since qualifying for Europe a few seasons ago, things have not been going well at Cercle Brugge. The project that had begun with Carlos Avina appeared to be in decline as the side jumped from head coach to head coach in search for a return to form. Onur Cinel was targeted in the summer, and despite the sides struggles this season, the club have stuck with him. This is either admirable or a fools errand. With Dender having apparently been cut adrift at the bottom of the table, the chances of relegation for any other side in the Pro League has been massively reduced. As a result, it has been easier for a club like Cercle Brugge to stick with Cinel.

However, the win over Gent means Cinel may well steer the side out of the bottom four before the end of the season. This would be some achievement for the Austrian given the situation that had presented itself in past weeks, with the gap appearing to widen. However, wins over Charleroi and now Gent have seen Cercle Brugge close to within two points of Zulte Waregem and safety. Up next for the club is a clash with Dender, a game they would have been pinpointing as their best chance of three points.

Win against Dender, and suddenly getting out of the bottom four is not just a possible but even probable. They would still have tough matches against Sint Truiden and Anderlecht to come, but in between these games would be a home clash with RAAL, another side in the bottom four. Given how out of form other sides are around them, six points for Cercle Brugge may well be enough to get out of trouble completely.

Even if they don’t escape the bottom four, a win over Dender at the weekend should ensure they survive. The gap would then be 13 points, an almost impossible margin for Dender to overcome via the playoffs.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson