Another uppercut avoided. Anderlecht have reversed a crooked situation during a visit to KV Mechelen. The Purple & White fell behind early after a penalty error by Wesley Hoedt, who later paid the bill with a substitution. His replacement Mario Stroeykens turned out to be a savior with two goals. Fabio Silva – who had been dry for over a month – recorded the final score.
KV Mechelen – Anderlecht in a nutshell
- key moment: Mazzu has to intervene at half time and exchanges Hoedt for Stroeykens. The latter scores twice and the new game system (4-3-3) after the break also proves to be a success.
- Man of the match: Substitutes at half time and scoring two goals. Nice afternoon for Mario Stroeykens. The young striker scored two almost identical goals and completely changed the game.
- Remarkable: For the first time this season, Anderlecht can make up for a deficit. The hits by Stroeykens and Silva were of gold value for Mazzu and co.
KV Mechelen starts strong and quickly opens the score
Two teams that needed 3 points looked each other in the eye this afternoon. KV Mechelen started the match best and took the initiative in the initial phase.
The fans of Anderlecht took their place in the visitors’ section – as a protest action – only after 12 minutes, but already had to deal with another setback after just one minute. A push by Hoedt in the box was considered a foul by the VAR and the ball went on the spot. Vanlerberghe did not hesitate and gave the home team the lead.
Mechelen remained the better team afterwards and had a few nice opportunities. A brief flare-up of Anderlecht just before half-time also quickly went away. Mechelen went into halftime with a deserved lead.
Substitute Stroeykens turns the roles completely
After the break Felice left Mazzu Hoedt on the bench and brought fresh blood into the team with young striker Stroeykens.
The 18-year-old attacker did not miss his start in the least because after 20 seconds he already blazed the 1-1 against the nets. Silva initially did not get the ball past goalkeeper Coucke, but Stroeykens did finish it in the rebound.
Mechelen didn’t give in and got a lot of chances. Hairemans came closest and hit the post.
On the other side, Stroeykens did his trick again and finished again after a miss by Silva.
Anderlecht continued with this momentum and after a nice assist from N’Diaye, Silva also scored his goal.
Anderlecht are back with a win in this way. Mechelen is left empty-handed.
Mario Stroeykens: “A childhood dream”
Geoffrey Hairemans (KV Mechelen): “We had everything in our own hands, but after 20 seconds in the second half Anderlecht equalize. That, of course, gives them confidence. We give it away a little too easily. We have been taking goals too easily for several seasons and that is not going to change. Coucke saves a ball from Silva twice, but then we are too slow to prevent the rebound.”
Mario Stroeykens (Anderlecht): “This is a childhood dream, after all. It was difficult weeks for everyone and it is never an easy game at Mechelen. I did not expect to come in and score two goals. The coach emphasizes to always be in the sixteen as quickly as possible. and that resulted in two goals today.”
Danny Buijs (coach KV Mechelen): “Our mistakes are being punished mercilessly today. Coucke takes both balls, but we still concede two goals. It is a mixed feeling, because the boys also played well. You only have to keep your mistakes to a minimum, of course. goals too easy this season.”
