Anderlecht has won its first European group match. After a slow and difficult start, RSCA beat Danish Silkeborg 1-0 after a penalty by Fabio Silva. However, it was the turn of Verschaeren and again the 16-year-old Julien Duranville that provided more momentum. Report of what eventually became a successful rendezvous.
Anderlecht finally had a real date. After four years of aimless muddling through and wrong choices, another wench with potential came to Brussels: Silke Borg. Place of appointment were the groups of the Conference League, for the first time since 2018. That caused tension and tight nerves. Anderlecht wanted to present themselves well and had Vertonghen, Diawara and Ashimeru show up from the start. A higher average age, enough experience.
Unjustly flagged?
Unfortunately, the attempts at decoration did not immediately catch on with Silke Borg. Anderlecht no longer knew exactly how to do it and did not dare to go for his goal. What followed for the first 45 minutes was a combination of careful scanning and weak advances. It was simply a virgin first half. Expectations were high, but nothing really happened.
Fabio Silva seemed to be the only one who wanted to move forward, but the striker was often alone. Weak combinations, sloppy play and it was only after 38 minutes that a goal was finally attempted. High over. The audience watching the spectacle began to whistle more than once. This was very similar to the mediocre, weak dress rehearsals of the past few weeks. Had we all waited 4 years for this? (Read more below the photo)
Silke also did not simply let herself be wrapped up. This Danish ice queen wasn’t the prettiest in her country – by far, only fourth in the standings – but she didn’t give up either. Silke Borg moved expectantly – even slowly at times – but occasionally came out vicious. Especially dangerous from a distance. Fortunately, Anderlecht always got away with a fright. To make the evening something beautiful, it would have to run much better soon. Anderlecht had to be much more macho.
Coach Felice Mazzu tried to bring in more panache. It took a move, something unexpected, maybe even something romantic. Anouar Aït El Hadj had had enough of his chance and didn’t make much of it. He was substituted for Yari Verschaeren and Anderlecht impressed a little more after a short interlude. Silke Borg even seemed to swoon for a while thanks to some clever hip movements by Verschaeren, but when he made the nets vibrate, the whistle was blown for offside. If your date puts you offside, that sucks. Although in retrospect it seemed unjustified and in this competition there is no VAR.
Fast Duranville
Then with youthful indiscretion. Enter Julien Duranville. Suddenly Silke Borg had to gasp more and that because of a handsome 16-year-old. That is still legally allowed. The teenager ran forward carelessly and when no one could stop him, hand play was committed. Fabio Silva put the ball on the spot and Anderlecht eventually conquered Silke Borg. Oof.
Anderlecht can still do it and after four years it counts again. It now becomes a matter of getting even better equipped to continue the conquest later on.
