Goals: none. Chances played out: quite few. And yet Anderlecht versus Club Brugge was a pleasant sight. Both teams were evenly matched, played solid football and, above all, a lot of fighting spirit. Nothing will change this weekend, after Antwerp-Union also finished 0-0.
At Anderlecht a rather surprising starting eleven. Amuzu took Verschaeren’s place, eighteen-year-old Arnstad came in for Refaelov. Verschaeren and Refaelov are struggling with groin and ankle respectively.
The first chance was for Club. Skov Olsen brought in well from the right, De Ketelaere headed well over. The latter received a push from Magallan and claimed a penalty, but did not get it. Less than two minutes later, Rits also asked for a penalty after a push from the same Magallan, but referee Nathan Verboomen again saw no point. Especially for the first phase, he certainly could and perhaps should have put the ball on the spot.
Anderlecht come into the match
It was already Club that struck the clock, and after ten minutes that also resulted in a great opportunity for the first time. Lang stormed towards Van Crombrugge, but the Anderlecht goalkeeper saved with a wipe of the leg. After 25 minutes, Purple & White finally had their first move. Amuzu kicked a few feet over from the edge of the box.
Photo: BELGA
Just before half an hour, Rits had to be sidelined with the visitors injured, Vormer took his place. He immediately asserted himself with a push on Amuzu, who in turn asked for a penalty, but did not get it. More than rightly so, because the push was just a push. In the meantime Anderlecht got better and better in the game and just past the half hour it was also very dangerous. Zirkzee was able to score from just outside the box, but curled wide. Then there was the excellent Arnstad who took a hit, but goalkeeper Mignolet kept Club afloat.
Bruges absent
Vincent Kompany made two substitutions at halftime. He pulled Magallan, who was yellow, to the side for Delcroix and exchanged the injured Zirkzee for Raman. The latter was clearly looking forward to it and immediately put Mignolet to work. Anderlecht were the better team in the first fifteen minutes of the second half, with an attempt by Arnstad who almost surprised Mignolet with a lob. Amuzu also tried on the hour, but kicked the ball very high. After that he also had to go to the side injured, El Hadj took his place.
Foto: Isosport
Bruges was much less present than before the break – say completely absent – but took the lead in the middle of the second half. Mata aimed from afar and aimed for the post with a firm line. Then it was purple and white again. Raman started a slalom and then tried himself, but his shot was too weak to knock Mignolet out.
The chances became less and less numerous, but ten minutes before the end a Bruges cross almost landed in the goal. A ball from Buchanan landed on top of the crossbar. In the end, El Hadj was still dangerous for the home team, but Hendry, who had also come in, stopped him. And so Union maintains its three points lead over Club Brugge, which in turn has seven points more than Anderlecht and Antwerp.
