Anderlecht ends its football season 6 points behind Union. The Biancoviola closed the gap on their city rivals by beating Cercle Brugge. Anders Dreyer opened the scoring, substitute Luis Vazquez provided a double bonus. The only flaw: with Sardella, Dolberg, Rits (?) and Delaney, Anderlecht saw a group of players go down injured.
Half flattered bonus
On Saturday Anderlecht were rejected at home by Racing Genk, tonight the home crowd experienced déjà vu.
An energetic Cercle Brugge dictated the law despite many absentees, but clashed with an excellent Kasper Schmeichel.
He demonstrated his value as a linekeeper with 2 excellent saves: the leg sweep and the quick reflex of the hand on the attempts of Olaigbe and Gboho were decisive.
In between, Anderlecht performed particularly efficiently. Anders Dreyer had plenty of space and made it 1-0 after 10 minutes with a bit of luck.
A VAR check lasting around 5 minutes for offside – millimetric work and extremely difficult to verify – did not change the situation.
At the end of the first half, Dreyer himself didn’t have the clarity to score the 2-0, but the 1-0 at half-time was still flattering.
The match quickly bleeds to death after the break
Due to the injuries of Killian Sardella and Kasper Dolberg, the Biancoviola had already had to move and Mats Rits also remained (injured?) in the locker room during the break.
Substitute Luis Vazquez seized the opportunity and finished the match shortly after half-time. 2-0, Anderlecht increases its efficiency a little.
Although Cercle was unable to formulate a response, the Purple and White laughed especially greenly when Thomas Delaney also appeared in the doctor’s waiting room.
The injuries were a big setback, otherwise the match was a bit of a dead end. Vazquez left the bar shaking for a while, Schmeichel kept a clean sheet.
2-0: Anderlecht ends 2023 6 points behind the leaders, Cercle Brugge does not enter the top 6.
Phase by phase
END
The Belgian football year is over. The second half was in vain after Luis Vazquez’s quick 2-0. Mission accomplished for an efficient Anderlecht.
5 – extra time
An additional 5 minutes will be added.
extra time
Not 8 minutes like after the first act, but 5 minutes.
Schmeichel is still awake
Gboho still wants to restart the match, but Schmeichel doesn’t move. In the short corner he is on tiptoe and blocks the kick. The Danish is impeccable.
Anderlecht will therefore end 2023 6 points behind leaders Union. This is absolutely excellent. The last defeat in the competition dates back to 22 October at Standard. Since then – after tonight – they have remained unbeaten in 11 games, of which 2 were cup games.
A particularly efficient Anderlecht, this is what we will remember from this match. Even after the 2-0 they were unable to change gear. There wasn’t any need right away, but all in all the Christmas menu is sparse.
Anderlecht won the match.
Tom Boudeweel (Radio 1)
Even the fifth corner of the Cercle Brugge does not belong in the history books. The game is dying a bit.
Zeno Debast received the captain’s armband after replacing Thomas Delaney and in the final minutes he collected open comments. He spoils the audience with the necessary cutting interventions.
“The game has already been played,” concludes our radio journalist. “This reminds me of the first meeting in early November. Not much happens anymore.”
The record champion will have some tinkering to do during the winter break.
Zeno Debast defends himself imperially and launches a dangerous attack. Thorgan Hazard takes a walk and forces a goal attempt. This goes much further.
Cercle Brugge is still trying to make it. Lemaréchal goes for a walk on the baseline, but his marker is blocked by Schmeichel for a corner. We no longer see much danger from visitors.
Pegel van Vázquez
Luis Vazquez wants to seize the opportunity and plays devastatingly. The target frame still vibrates. Warleson was still standing there with his hands folded.
Despite all these injuries, Anderlecht are not really in trouble.
Tom Boudeweel (Radio 1)
Blessura 3e of 4e?
Sardella and Dolberg were already absent, there is no news of injuries to the replaced Rits. Delaney joins the list and is replaced by Arnstad.
The Biancoviola have to move defensively with Augustinsson now centrally next to Debast.
Daland doesn’t give up on a corner kick and shoots hard into the outside of the net from a tight angle. Even Delaney, his guardian at that stage, is now limping. The rag bin is gradually filling up.
Cercle Brugge are clearly upset and have not yet formulated a response after the 2-0.
Is Anderlecht now liberated? Cercle Brugge started the second half a little less aggressively and immediately paid the price. The ball is now clearly in the home team’s hands.
Finely finished by a sharp Luis Vazquez!
Tom Boudeweel (Radio 1)
Vazquez makes it 2-0, what else can Cercle do?
2-0!
Do you want books? Substitute Vazquez skilfully runs onto a deep and intelligent pass from Verschaeren and finishes cleanly. No VAR control is needed here. This way Anderlecht remains efficient.
The ball sticks more to the white and purple’s feet. Patris rushes forward and after many fives and sixes Vazquez manages to connect. His shot ends up high, but shortly before Patris was offside.
Can Thorgan Hazard immediately force something upon his return?
Kick off
Let’s play football again. Are Anderlecht taking more initiative now?
Substitutions
Anderlecht will make another substitution. With Luis Vazquez there will be a deep attacker on the pitch. Mats Rits remains in the locker room. At Cercle Brugge, Semedo relieves Nazinho.
Rust
After 53 minutes that was enough. Only Anderlecht can be satisfied with this 1-0 at half-time.
Cercle Brugge forces Schmeichel to make 2 excellent saves and on the other side Dreyer makes it 1-0. VAR carried out its line, but did not determine offside.
RSCA otherwise disappointed, although Dreyer could have made it 2-0. The home team has already had to say goodbye to Sardella and Dolberg too.
Not 2-0
Dreyer ruins the 2-0 opportunity. Hazard waits long enough to release Dreyer, but with his preferred left foot he isn’t strong enough. Cutting with the right was a much better option.
It’s not a good first half for Anderlecht, but they’re back in the lead, albeit flattered.
Tom Boudeweel (Radio 1)
It’s Anderlecht’s fighting football, which longs for peace and quiet. Playing away at the RSCA is dramatic.
extra time
Due to the VAR phase and the touch judge’s injury, we begin our extra time.
8 – extra time
There will be another 8 minutes of time.
Also a second substitution in RSCA
Louis Patris is the logical replacement for Killian Sardella, but the Biancoviola need to make a second substitution.
Is there also an illness with Kasper Dolberg? He is replaced by Thorgan Hazard. He is playing football for the first time since mid-November.
Exit Sardella
Winter break starts a little early at Killian Sardella. He stops running towards the sideline with a grimace. His hamstrings appear to be affected.
End of the story for Sardella.
Sardella has some freedom in the far zone from a free kick, but his deflection is too laconic. Anderlecht cannot be satisfied with what they show here.
Flattered result
Cercle Brugge continues to flirt with a 1-1 draw. Gboho misses the punt and Schmeichel retracts his arm in time. The ball bounces wide.
On this disgusting pitch the football combination is not a given. Lemaréchal sees no openings and tries himself. The result is dismissal.
Cercle Brugge continues to surround Anderlecht’s sixteen. The visitors are simply the better team, but apart from those 2 chances, they have not been able to put together any clear chances.
The advantage does not reflect what we see on the pitch. Cercle Brugge is constantly chasing Anderlecht, the home team has to fight for every ball.
Nazinho tries from afar, Schmeichel has the ball in his hands.
Cercle Brugge have been keeping Anderlecht in their own half for a while now.
Tom Boudeweel (Radio 1)
The ball is thrown into the area from the right. Nazinho fails to direct his header.
After the 1-0 Anderlecht didn’t create any more chances. The home team collectively collects Cercle Brugge. After the spicy start, the pace slowed down a bit.
The image of the game does not change. Cercle Brugge is still trying to play the game, but we have to watch out for Anderlecht’s fall. The Biancoviola speculate on the counterattack.
“Anderlecht have been very effective so far and can thank their goalkeeper for two excellent saves,” says our commentator. “On that occasion, just now, he played like a 19-year-old colt.”
Schmeichel again
Schmeichel proves to be an excellent lineman. Gboho shoots from close range and with a quick hand the Dane defuses the deflected ball. Hats off!
The VAR intervention was particularly long. It was close, but the goal counted.
Tom Boudeweel (Radio 1)
Both clubs support Kevin Denkey.
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After the long break – due to the intervention of the VAR and the replacement of the linesman – we can finally go back to playing football.
1-0 is valid
It’s another one-minute ordeal. You can’t see it with the naked eye, but the 1-0 remains. The line is shown on TV and Dreyer is just onside.
One of the assistants along the line needs to be replaced. He is struggling with a calf injury. A lot happens in the first quarter.
VAR checks for offside
VAR also had to intervene immediately and drew a line on Augustinsson’s cross. What will be the verdict?
This shot by Dreyer still counts as a goal.
1-0 (now)
In the 9th minute applause from the entire stadium for Kevin Denkey, but just then Anderlecht strikes.
There is plenty of space on the left and Augustinsson’s cross ends up on Dreyer, who breaks free in the center of the area. After checking his chest he actually misses the attempt, but the ball bounces inside him.
What a coverage mistake!
Dreyer is sent away to the right, but his left cross fails to reach his teammate. There is spirit in this match. Interesting opening phase!
Canceled 1-0
On a corner kick, Delaney intercepts a passed ball with some luck, but the DJ is forced to stop his music. Augustinsson leaned too emphatically on goalkeeper Warleson and was rightly punished.
Cercle Brugge started very strongly.
Tom Boudeweel (Radio 1)
Excellent intervention Schmeichel
There is the first official opportunity for the guests. Olaigbe makes an excellent pass past Delaney and arms his right foot. Schmeichel has to block the diagonal shot with a great leg sweep. Well done!
Anderlecht must wake up, because Cercle Brugge started with enthusiasm. The Biancoviola are unable to keep the ball as a team.
The crossbar (from offside)
Talk about a brilliant start. Somers pushes the ball against the crossbar, despite being offside at an earlier stage. Yet this is a clear warning.
Kick off
With a little delay we can start with this year’s football dessert. Cercle Brugge kicks off the match.
An old acquaintance could get the ball rolling: Chancel Mbemba will be informed upon his return.
The atmosphere is enriched by the usual light show. Cercle Brugge brought its share of fireworks: the fans accompanying it lit some rockets.
Cercle Brugge enters the pitch with Kevin Denkey’s shirts. “We are thinking of you and your family,” is the caption.
Tom Boudeweel is our reporter at Lotto Park. “He scored 15 of Cercle’s 25 goals. His absence is a problem. Anderlecht scores much more easily and has a lot of irons in the fire.”
We stand in solidarity with Kevin Denkey following the death of his mother. He has our support. There are more important things than football. Obviously we will miss him tonight, but we still have options.
Miron Muslic (coach Cercle Brugge)
We have a lot of confidence in ourselves. The spirit is fantastic. We are a team.
Brian Riemer (Anderlecht manager)
0-3
At the beginning of November, Anderlecht visited Jan Breydel. He won easily against Cercle Brugge, who then lacked many strong players for his people. RSCA won 0-3 and Cercle are now in a bad way, although the Anderlecht doctor is still busy applying for a job.
The formation of Cercle Brugge
There is still a lot to do with visitors due to staffing issues. Siquet is out of action, Denkey has been struck by a personal tragedy and Popovic and Semedo also disappear from the team that beat KV Kortrijk 3-0 last week. The substitutes: Utkus, Nazinho, Miangue and Olaigbe.
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Anderlecht team
In Biancoviola there is something new compared to Saturday evening in the home match against Racing Genk. Anderlecht recovers Zeno Debast. Killian Sardella returns to his trusted right back, Louis Patris disappears from the starting eleven. Thomas Delaney continues to play defensive football. Thorgan Hazard will still not receive a starting spot upon his return to selection.
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Cercle Brugge shared a heartwarming Christmas video earlier this week.
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Vertonghen out for a few weeks
Last weekend Vertonghen was not on the pitch in the 2-1 against Genk. He was missing the defender due to an ankle injury. And this will keep him away from the fields for a few weeks, but he’s not here today either.
Anderlecht last lost on 22/10
Circle: after 0 on 6, 6 on 6 follows
Cercle Brugge moves to Anderlecht as No. 7, No. 2. Cercle has 31 points, Anderlecht 39. Cercle’s 0-for-6 against Union and Antwerp was followed by 6-for-6 against OHL and KV Kortrijk .
The first leg was played on 5 November and Anderlecht won 0-3 with goals from Dolberg, Dreyer and Stroeykens.
Even more injury concerns at Cercle Brugge. Wing defender Hugo Siquet will be out for 8 weeks due to a hamstring injury.
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Kevin Denkey is not a Cercle striker
Cercle Brugge cannot count on their top scorer Kevin Denkey. The attacker himself announced it via Instagram.
“Dear fans, I cannot play the decisive match against Anderlecht for personal reasons,” Denkey opens in his message.
“I support the team and I wish the boys an exceptional match. The support of the fans means a lot to us. We remain united in good times and bad.”
Denkey has already scored 15 goals in green and black this season.
No Kevin Denkey against Anderlecht:
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