Champions’ Play-off
Anderlecht narrowly won 2-1 against KRC Genk on Saturday evening on the eighth matchday in the Champions’ Play-off. As a result, the people of Brussels jump over Club Brugge into the lead in the standings (for the time being).
After a close victory against KRC Genk on Saturday evening, Anderlecht has 46 points in the Jupiler Pro League, one more than Club. Blauw-zwart will play the top match on Monday evening against brand new cup winner Union Sint-Gillis, third with 42 points. On Sunday there will first be the match between last-place Antwerp (29 points) and Cercle Brugge (33 points), which has Genk’s fourth place (34 points) in its sights.
At Anderlecht, Yari Verschaeren was given his first starting spot since the beginning of March on Saturday evening, after a lot of injuries, and he thanked coach Riemer for this with a nice goal just before half-time. The purple and white number 10 beautifully curled the ball from the edge of the sixteen past a hopeless Vandevoordt and scored his first competition goal of the season. A deserved lead for the home team, which had the most chances.
Genk has been in turbulent waters for several weeks with disappointing results and the departure of coach Wouter Vrancken (on his way to AA Gent) was added to this on Thursday. Assistant Domenico Olivieri will do the honors for the time being. He saw his team play a creditable first half, although efficiency in front of goal was lacking.
Genk had to look for the equalizer after the break, but it was Anderlecht that almost scored again through Stroeykens. After beautiful interplay, he hit the target wood around the hour mark. For Genk, however, it was a postponement of execution because in the 70th minute Kasper Dolberg made it 2-0 after a technical tour de force.
Genk was against the canvas, but seemingly out of nowhere Tolu suddenly scored the tying goal. He buffed a cross from El Ouahdi past a bewildered Schmeichel. It became an exciting final phase in the Lotto Park, but a trembling Anderlecht held on.
