In the last match of the regular competition, Anderlecht lost at home for the first time. Davies punished a mistake by Debast ten minutes before the end. Anderlecht can soon see Union running further away. Kortrijk passes the red lantern to RWDM.
Anderlecht coach Riemer opted to rotate in the last competition match. Three players who were on a yellow card for suspension and were therefore in danger of missing the first day of the play-offs, started on the bench. Leoni, Stroeykens and Hazard were replaced by Rits, Delaney and Vazquez. The Purple & White started with two strikers for the first time, although Dolberg started from the left, and Delaney celebrated his return to the starting line-up after a long period of injury.
Mediocre start
The people of Brussels started the match very poorly. And that, if you ask us, was largely on rotation. The absence of Hazard, Stroeykens and Leoni caused a lot of loss of quality on the ball. Rits and Delaney can recover balls. It was the sequel that left much to be desired. All too often a lost long ball followed. It didn’t help that Verschaeren, the only midfielder playing football, also had to leave injured after ten minutes. Although Stroeykens, his replacement, did make some improvement.
It was Kortrijk that took control of the match under the leadership of a strong Kadri. Albeit without being really dangerous. Shots from Kangwa and Sissako flew over. It wasn’t until extra time in the first half that the first attempt came between the posts. The fast Davies countered and crossed the entire field. However, Schmeichel was not surprised in his short corner.
Dreyer disapproved
In the meantime, Anderlecht, without really playing well, had turned out to be the most dangerous team. The biggest chance was for Dolberg. After a mistake by Pirard, the goalkeeper immediately boxed a bad cross from Augustinsson into Dolberg’s feet, and the same Pirard saved well with a reflex. A little later the 1-0 seemed to appear on the scoreboard. Debast subtly guided Dreyer through the defense after which the Dane displayed a beautiful curl. A foot offside, the linesman had clearly seen that.
In the second half Anderlecht took control of the match. We had been playing for a minute when Vazquez made a good pass to Stroeykens, whose shot was parried. A little later: falling corner to Dreyer. His beautiful volley was floated out of goal by Pirard. And now the biggest chance was for Kortrijk.
Debast only had eyes for Davies and tried to put him away. As a result, they both missed the ball and Kadri was able to aim alone. The Algerian placed a goal just wide of the post.
On the hour mark, Riemer thought it was (finally) time for Leoni and Hazard. Vazquez and Delaney were allowed to go to the bench. Kortrijk’s countermove: Bruno (ex-Anderlecht) and Avenatti in, Kadri and Afolabi out.
Cover on the purple-white nose
Ten minutes before the end, Anderlecht was defeated. First, a good long shot from Kangwa, who played well, was pushed into a corner by Schmeichel. A little later Debast made a mistake. He kicked a long ball from Pirard straight at Davies. That’s a good striker and you shouldn’t give him opportunities (gifts) like that. The ball disappeared neatly into the bottom left corner.
Riemer then threw his last trump card on the table. Angulo came for Rits. And he immediately created a threat with his velvet technique. Although there were plenty of West Flemish people in the way. In extra time, Dolberg claimed another penalty after wrestling with Silva. The VAR looked at it. But rightly decided not. Vertonghen continued to play as a striker. In vain.
Verschaeren injured
Afterwards, Anderlecht’s coach took the blame for the defeat: the tactics had not worked.
And Yari Verschaeren is in the rag basket again. Everything indicates that the creative midfielder suffered a muscle injury in the thigh. The same muscle that he also suffered against Club Brugge and RWDM.
It is not yet clear how long Verschaeren will be out. At the time, the new setback seemed difficult to process for the young Belgian, who knows what it feels like to be out of action for a long time. Last year in March he suffered a serious cruciate ligament injury against OH Leuven. Verschaeren had to watch from the sidelines for eight months before he was finally allowed to make his return.
