After a difficult match, in which Antwerp was left with ten men after 63 minutes by red for Samatta, The Great Old still managed to take a 0-1 victory in Seraing thanks to an own goal by Dietsch. With that, the second in the standings puts pressure on leader Union.
Your name will be Jelle Bataille. In recent weeks, the West Flemish right back of Antwerp has been regularly criticized for being too weak. Against Seraing, Bataille could have had two assists at halftime. Unfortunately for him, Ally Samatta refused to cooperate. Bataille offered the Tanzanian a flawless opportunity twice with a good cross. Just as often, Samatta decided right on Dietsch.
Antwerp was lord and master in Liège in the first half. Despite a soggy turf, the Great Old played the ball around smoothly. In midfield, Faris Haroun was allowed to start a match for the first time in almost a year due to the absence of Birger Verstraete. The captain acted as the lock on the door. For him, Nainggolan and Yusuf could do their thing. Both Antwerp midfielders were well into the match, just like Miyoshi who offered himself a few times between the lines.
The fact that Antwerp did not shake the nets before half-time was not only Samatta’s fault. The ball just didn’t seem to want to go in. Also attempts by Nainggolan and Miyoshi ended up next to and on Dietsch’s feet respectively. Five flawless chances in half an hour of football. Antwerp did not make it in a full match against Union.
It has to be said: Seraing gave the visitors too much space, especially in the beginning of the first half. In addition, the home team barely showed anything in attacking terms. Forty minutes had already passed when Jean Butez had to take the first ball. A fly ball on a free kick by Maziz, from about thirty meters.
At the end of the first half, Seraing stuck his nose in the window. Maziz proved to be by far the most dangerous man for the home team. The Frenchman came close to the opening goal in the absolute end of the first half after he had been given too much space from Bataille. Fortunately for Antwerp, Maziz’s visor was just as sharp as Samatta’s.
Red for Samatta
Seraing came out of the locker room more industrious. Antwerp had a harder time imposing its will than in the first half. Just before the hour the Great Old was there again. Balikwisha – far too absent until then – sought Yusuf well in front of goal. The Nigerian pushed wide.
Due to a lack of scoring opportunities, the referee caused a stir just after the hour. After a strong tackle by Samatta on ex-Antwerp player Bernier, Arthur Denil took the red card from his back pocket. A very strict judgement. So did the VAR, which called Denil to the screen. The ref stood his ground.
Photo: BELGA
Antwerp had to continue with ten in the last half hour. And also without a deep striker. Top scorer Frey had to give sick leave, just like Johannes Eggestein. With the young Bruny Nsimba there was only one real attacker on the bench. Priske decided to take Miyoshi aside for Pieter Gerkens twenty minutes before the end. The Limburger was allowed to act as an occasional attacker.
Five minutes before the end it looked quite dire for Antwerp. Again the VAR called Denil to the screen. This time to watch an alleged foul by Dessoleil in the box. Denil ruled that Seraing did not deserve a penalty. The Antwerp bank breathed a sigh of relief.
In between, Priske had also thrown in a real striker with Nsimba. Ironically, it was a defender who decided the game. After a free kick by Nainggolan, the ball fell at the feet of Dinis Almeida in minute 92. With a deflected shot, the Portuguese pushed the ball past Dietsch. Antwerp thus bagged three hard-fought points.
ALSO READ. Ritchie De Laet not to speak about “cow pasture” in Seraing: “Shame that we have to play on this”
