Union, Club Brugge, Anderlecht and Antwerp have started the last straight line towards the title. After the first day of play, the football commentator notes that the Champions’ Play-offs are divided into two. “Although the past has shown that we should always be careful with early conclusions in the play-offs.”
Listen to Peter Vandenbempt’s analysis
Peter Vandenbempt in a nutshell:
- “Union was completely itself again against Anderlecht.”
- “Suddenly little is noticeable of the progression at Anderlecht.”
- “Club Brugge can look forward to some individual performances.”
“No sign of pressure or stress at Union”
Union and its fans were completely themselves against Anderlecht. It has played 100 percent to its qualities. With a lightning start, Anderlecht maneuvered into a difficult position from the start.
A very efficient Union has also taken full advantage of the mistakes it forced Anderlecht to make, with a healthy aggressive pressing. The leader won the duels. You couldn’t tell by anything that there was any pressure or stress due to the debut in the play-offs or the victory of Club Brugge earlier in the day.
The fact that Anderlecht delivered a non-performance helped, of course, but it does not take away from Union’s merit. The duo in the front, with Vanzeir and Undav, was again very good. Also a special mention for Nieuwkoop on the right. And goalkeeper Moris also made a great save at a difficult moment for Union.
Felice Mazzu can kick off his players zen and razor sharp at the same time.
Felice Mazzu has already beat Vincent Kompany 3 times in the Brussels derby. He can send his players onto the field with a well-considered plan and at the same time give them a zen and razor-sharp kick-off.
Actually, the 2nd reward of the season is already a fact. Union was already certain of European football and it will already be very strange if it is not certain of at least the preliminary rounds of the Champions League. So that’s place 2.
“Suddenly very little is noticeable of Anderlecht’s progression”
Marc Coucke posted on social media “How to kill an entire season in one week.” Perhaps sent in the disappointment of the moment, but it is the harsh reality. It’s that simple.
Anderlecht lost the cup final and probably threw away their last chance for the first two places on the first day of the play-offs.
Especially the way is painful. Add to this the last match of the competition against Kortrijk and then you have to conclude that Anderlecht have now performed far below their level 3 times in a row in matches in which it has to happen.
In Kortrijk, that was corrected in the 2nd half, but now 2 times not. Anderlecht have inexplicably rolled out the red carpet for Union, by defending poorly and uncontrollably and by playing football slowly and stereotypically.
Anderlecht could not win 10 games in a row in Play-off I. Those are staggering figures for an institution like Anderlecht.
The reaction to that early deficit was still good, 2-2 could certainly have been done and then we might tell a different story today. But then it started again hopelessly bad in the 2nd half and it was actually the big void for the entire 2nd period.
Twice a huge disappointment in one week, barely 2 weeks after everything seemed to fall into place in that match against Charleroi. The progression of Anderlecht is suddenly very little noticeable. That’s scary, even for the bosses.
The fans who were in the Dudenpark were already not happy and on Sunday there is the top match against Club Brugge. They will find it difficult to digest a new blow to the rival at home. Anderlecht could not win 10 games in a row in Play-off I. Those are staggering figures for an institution like Anderlecht.
“Champions’ Play-offs are divided in two”
With Antwerp, Club Brugge had an opponent of a different caliber than Anderlecht. Antwerp was clearly stimulated to show that it also wants to play a significant role.
Antwerp has played a good match in terms of organisation, discipline and fighting spirit. Before half time there was a good Nainggolan in that position higher in the field and for Club Brugge it was just a difficult game.
The win was a bit like the goal: fortunate. A draw would also have been justified. If Antwerp can repeat that again next week, Union op de Bosuil will find that it will be difficult.
Club Brugge’s victory against Antwerp was a bit like the goal: fortunate.
It was a fierce and closed match, a typical PO I match where there was not too much fun to be had. Antwerp tried to neutralize Club Brugge’s wing game reasonably and trainer Priske had completely adapted his team to Club, also with man cover on Vanaken and Rits. Then it’s just hard to play football.
At the same time, Club can look forward to a few individual achievements, such as from Noa Lang. The best Lang, that will be important to get to the play-offs. Mata is also defensively always a certainty.
It was a good victory for Club Brugge, without a lot of frills, so you can shake Antwerp off you and stay in the flow. After one match day, we can say that the Champions’ Play-offs are divided into two. Union and Club Brugge will compete for the title, although the past has shown that we must always be careful with conclusions in the middle of the play-offs.
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