Part two of the competition has started painfully for Anderlecht. The inhabitants of Brussels were lord and master against rival Standard, but let the victory slip in the final phase. Sergio Gomez was the schlemiel with too short a pass back.
- Key moment: A tampered Standard has almost no chance, but five minutes before the whistle, Gomez puts in a foot. Dragus does an excellent job from a sharp angle.
- Man of the Match: In a Classico of deplorable quality, Joshua Zirkzee provided a few moments that made our eyes sparkle. The Dutchman’s magical feet prepared the 1-0, but he failed to make it 2-0 himself.
- Remarkable: Elsner planted three winter signings in his starting team, which means that Standard has already used thirty different players this season. At Anderlecht, six boys played in all matches.
Verschaeren scores after Zirkzee song
Due to obligations at the Africa Cup, suspensions and heavily pregnant partners, the Standard coach had to solve a difficult puzzle. The visitors did it with additions Emond, Dewaele and Cafaro. Anderlecht only missed Kouamé, who was replaced by Amuzu.
It was therefore not surprising that the Purple & White set the pace. That was not particularly high, but did provide some chances for Verschaeren and Amuzu. Standard was only dangerous when Magallan played incomprehensibly for his own goal. Van Crombrugge was able to save Muleka’s deviation.
On the half hour, the game had been dwindling for a while when Zirkzee suddenly conjured a fantasy out of his shoes. He put Verschaeren in front of goal and he made it cool.
Sloppy Anderlecht shoot themselves in the foot
The second half was nothing to write home about. Standard had apparently put all his energy into the first half hour and failed to rake in a single chance. Anderlecht also muddled a bit.
It was again Zirkzee who brought the momentum. First with a handy dribble and a somewhat forced shot, a minute later with an unstoppable rush that he couldn’t finish. Refaelov and Verschaeren hindered each other and Raman mowed next to an inviting cross.
Annoying misses, but due to the impotence at Standard there was no problem in the misty Lotto Park. Until Dragus threw himself into a too short pass-back from Gomez, passed Van Crombrugge and found the tiny hole between Murillo and the post from a sharp angle.
Verschaeren: “Could have finished it”
Yari Verschaeren also realized that Anderlecht had lost the victory. “I am very disappointed. We had it in our own hands. We could have just finished it. There were enough chances to make that 2-0, but it was a bit too sloppy in front of goal. And then that goal, yes.. .”
This is not a nice way to start the year. “We were so hungry to win this game. We also started well and just wanted to keep going. We failed a little bit. My goal didn’t bring much today.”
Dewaele: “Happy with a point”
Gilles Dewaele had to undergo the match with Standard. “It was a difficult start to the game. We conceded a questionable goal because I think Refaelov touched the ball with his hand. Anyway, we had to react and we did that in the second half.”
That was more on willpower than on class. “You know that you are going to run behind the ball a lot at Anderlecht. They like to be in control, but they didn’t finish the game. In the end we were able to play a few better chances, but we can be happy with a point.”
Newcomer Dewaele immediately received his baptism of fire. “I am very happy that I could sign with a big club like Standard. I can only be proud to play here. A Classico, that is a great start to my adventure here. Hopefully we can bring Standard back to where it is belongs.”
Olsson: “It feels like a defeat”
