A bit more solid in the top 4. Anderlecht booked a second league win in a row at Zulte Waregem. After goals from Christian Kouame – a gift from Sammy Bossut – and Lior Refaelov, victory seemed certain before half-time. Zinho Gano only brought back the tension in the final quarter with a connecting goal. The Purple & White survived an eventful final quarter.
Zulte Waregem – Anderlecht in a nutshell:
- Key moment: Anderlecht seem to be on their way to a smooth victory at half-time, but with three substitutions at the start of the second half, Timmy Simons turns the tide. Dompé in particular brings more flair to the home team’s game and offers Gano the connecting goal. It provides an exciting final phase, but ultimately no points for Essevee.
- Man of the match: Refaelov didn’t seem very happy when he was replaced a little past the hour. Understandable, because the Israeli was playing a very strong game. He was the driving force behind the Anderlecht attacks and scored a very good goal himself.
- Remarkable: Zulte Waregem once again bites the sand against Anderlecht. It’s been November 20, 2016 since Essevee was able to beat the Purple & White again. Since then, Anderlecht has won 11 times in 13 competition matches, 2 times the confrontation ended in a draw.
- Quote: “Five minutes is just too long and that is not a criticism of the referee. The system just has to change for the quality of Belgian football. At a certain point, the Zulte Waregem supporters just wanted a decision and we thought the same.” (Vincent Kompany on the delay of the VAR at the 0-1)
Anderlecht outclass Zulte Waregem before half time
Chased by the victory of Ghent, Anderlecht started the game like a whirlwind. Zirkzee and Verschaeren performed a masterpiece after just 5 minutes, but a too nonchalant Kouamé forgot to crown the work.
Verschaeren wanted to show himself clearly in his 100th game for Anderlecht. After less than 10 minutes he plucked a deep ball from Cullen out of the air, his shot hit the post.
The 0-1 remained in the air and after almost 20 minutes the goal also fell. Bossut was only halfway to a corner and Kouamé took advantage. The VAR had the Ivorian wait for several minutes for possible offside, but in the end the striker was allowed to celebrate.
Just when Zulte Waregem came into the match better with chances for Kutesa and Gano, Anderlecht struck again. Ashimeru started Refaelov and he made it 0-2 with a class flash. Shortly before half time, Essevee countered again. Van Crombrugge just managed to push a deflected shot from Doumbia over the bar.
Connection goal Gano still makes the purple and white sweat
At the start of the second half, Timmy Simons made no fewer than three substitutions with Christensen, Ciranni and Dompé. The latter in particular lifted Zulte Waregem’s game to a higher level. Although Anderlecht also made it unnecessarily difficult for themselves, Zirkzee wanted to do it too well around the hour and thus crushed a beckoning chance for the 0-3.
Gano and Dompé continued to pose a threat and fifteen minutes before the end, this also resulted in the connecting goal. Dompé put Cullen on the left into the wind and painted the 1-2 on Gano’s head.
It led to a nervous final quarter for the Purple & White. Especially because Zirkzee once again missed a huge chance for a third Anderlecht goal. Raman was also close after Bossut’s new misses, he also aimed for the post. Anderlecht held their ground and took three important points in the battle for the Champions’ Play-offs.
“We couldn’t finish it completely”
- Vincent Kompany (coach Anderlecht): “We played a very good first half. We had the best chances and gave little away. It went well, but we couldn’t finish it completely. We could have made the 0-3 a little earlier. Due to the offensive substitutions of Timmy (Simons, ed.) There was a little more danger from Zulte Waregem in the second half, but even then we still had the best opportunities in the transition moments, but we didn’t finish anything anymore and that made it very difficult until the end. But on such a difficult field, I’m very happy with the win.”
- Timmy Simons (trainer Zulte Waregem): “I have no explanation for the difference between our first and second half. In the opening quarter we had a hard time with Anderlecht’s mobility, the many rotations. Then we restored the balance and in the second half we no longer showed any respect for this Anderlecht. We entered the duels that we should have entered in the first half. Then we showed too much respect. We were able to make it difficult for Anderlecht and maybe there was still a point in it. If we play football like in the In the second half, then we should not be afraid of anyone. Only it has to happen like this. We have to do everything we can to save ourselves as quickly as possible.”
