What if Kasper Dolberg or Anders Dreyer had finished one of Anderlecht’s two giant chances in the 21st minute? Whether Mario Stroeykens had not decided too softly on Anthony Moris just after half-time? Would Thomas Delaney have shown himself to be a killer a few minutes later and not have kicked the ball wide?
What if Gustav Nilsson – perfectly isolated in front of the purple and white goal at one time – had not missed it in the 85th minute? Kasper Schmeichel had not cleared a kick from just outside the box by Mohamed Amoura from under the crossbar twenty minutes earlier? Whether Koki Machida had not headed too weakly at the Danish goalkeeper?
The fact that the score remained 0-0 in the Brussels city derby and that Club Brugge is alone in the lead in the Jupiler Pro League for the first time since August 20, must be particularly sad at Lotto Park. Especially in the first half, Anderlecht played its best away match in these Champions’ Play-offs in the atmospheric Dudenpark. Brian Riemer’s team had the upper hand until about twenty minutes before the end, but did not show coolness enough at the front and lost the lead.
“We should have made at least one,” agreed midfielder Mats Rits. “Certainly in that phase before half-time where Moris saved twice. Although Kasper also made some nice saves. One point may be correct, and we still have everything in our own hands.”
Champion makers
That there was quite a lot at stake in the Brussels derby was evident from the theater that developed on the sidelines from the kick-off. Barely a few minutes into the match, Riemer had already left his jacket in the dugout and stood in front of it with his sleeves rolled up. Was it not the Anderlecht coach who, together with his bank, clashed with the arbitration, or his busy gesticulating colleague from Union, Alexander Blessin. It was no coincidence that they were both fined.
That tension translated on the pitch into fierce duels, but little good football. Riemer had indicated in advance that both teams “know each other inside and out” and that it was not so much the tactical plan that would make the difference, but rather the individual qualities. It was a call to guys like Delaney, Dolberg and Dreyer to stand up. The first two in particular had clearly understood the message.
Union seemed to have found their champion maker in Cameron Puertas in recent weeks, but the Spanish Swiss – who has already scored six times in the Champions’ Play-offs – was struggling. He wasn’t in the game very well and was caught sloppy too often. Although Union saw Kevin Mac Allister’s goal disallowed for offside in the first half and threatened with long shots from the fast Amoura in transition, it was only in the last twenty minutes that they managed to really put pressure on the visitors.
“We had difficulty getting into our game,” Charles Vanhoutte admitted. “But after the break we gradually got the upper hand. Maybe we forgot to make one then. Neither team will gain anything with this draw.”
Nobody satisfied
The fact that no one was really satisfied with the result was evident from the silence that fell after the final whistle. Club Brugge, which showed itself extremely efficiently on Sunday at the Bosuil, now has a two-point lead over Anderlecht and three points ahead of Union, which will travel to the Jan Breydel Stadium next Monday. If they want to stay in the title race, the Blessin boys have no choice but to win. Although Antwerp still awaits in the final of the Belgian Cup on Thursday. “It was a balanced match, until the last half hour. Then there was only one team on the field,” Blessin said. “Based on the chances we created then, we should have won.”
Anderlecht can benefit from the fact that there was no sign of an away complex. In the Lotto Park they collected 9 out of 9, while away there was only one point from three matches. However, when visiting Union, it was able to dictate the law for a long time.
“All matches are now games that we have to win, that applies to everyone,” said Riemer. “That we are no longer the leader? If I’m honest: it doesn’t really matter to me who is first or second. The most important thing is who is number one after the 40th match day.” A bit of a downer: just when the infirmary was emptying, captain and strongman Jan Vertonghen had to leave injured after half an hour. “We didn’t want to take any risks,” said Riemer. “But it is certainly not a serious injury.”
