Club Brugge Faces Concerns as Captain Vanaken Exits Match Early
Club Brugge experienced a concerning situation during their match against Westerlo on Sunday, March 15, 2026, as captain Hans Vanaken was forced to leave the game at halftime. The circumstances surrounding his departure have raised questions, with coach Ivan Leko expressing worry over the player’s condition. “It’s not going well with him,” Leko stated, according to reports.
The match itself saw Club Brugge secure a narrow victory over Westerlo, though not without some difficulty. The team reportedly lost the lead and saw Kimura score for Westerlo. Details of the final scoreline and match events can be found here.
Prior to leaving the pitch, Vanaken reportedly had a conversation with the club’s chairman, Verhaeghe, and appeared to be limping as he headed towards the locker room. This has further fueled speculation about the severity of his issue. More details on the situation are emerging from HLN.
The team’s performance against Westerlo was described as “shaky,” but they ultimately managed to secure the win. Union also achieved a victory, defeating Dender after a slow start. This result highlights the competitive nature of the league as teams battle for position. Read more about both matches in De Standaard.
Club Brugge fans are awaiting further updates on Vanaken’s condition, as his presence is crucial to the team’s success. See reactions to the match on the Club Brugge official website.
