Antwerp is the leader after a dramatic performance against Standard. After less than ten minutes it was already 3-0 after childish defense, Antwerp could never really make a fist afterwards. This is a (non-) performance that requires an explanation.
Mark van Bommel could have replaced eleven, it hadn’t mattered yet: it was that substandard. Antwerp was collectively not at the appointment. The tactical plan was not the right one – otherwise you shouldn’t change system after fifteen minutes. The duel power was lacking, just like the quality on the ball. The substitutes hardly offered any added value. Antwerp was nowhere on the banks of the Maas, and that is very bizarre when you see how much métier there was between the lines.
Even men like Yusuf, Gerkens and Alderweireld, normally players who rarely if ever fall through the lower limit, couldn’t pull the cart. Logical, because they weren’t good enough themselves. Alderweireld, who did improve as the minutes ticked away, couldn’t get the defense in order, Yusuf and Gerkens were late everywhere. Van Bommel wanted to silence Sclessin. Well, after less than ten minutes, the stadium had exploded three times. Three great goals, three poorly defended. We are not used to such apathy from Antwerp.
Antwerp started with Frey and Janssen, the Dutchman played as a kind of right winger. After seventeen minutes and at 3-0 behind, Van Bommel turned to a 3-5-2, Vines was the child of the bill. It didn’t do much good.
Rouches with a face
Standard was more eager and witty, at Antwerp it all looked lame. We’re not going to claim that Antwerp didn’t show any commitment – because it wasn’t -, but it seemed as if the visitors had been in a disco until 3 o’clock on Saturday night. There was no spunk, but as said, it was also technically too little. Checks were missed, passes were lost, chances were crushed. That way you can’t get back into the match, not even with a ‘better’ second half.
Ronny Deila has got the fire back in Standard. The Rouches have ‘face’ again. And some good players: Canak charmed up front, he got the defense in trouble several times. But Bokadi and Raskin were also fine.
Antwerp must ask itself how this could have happened. It has never happened in Belgium in the 21st century that a team was 3-0 in debt so quickly. Antwerp has been freewheeling through the competition for the time being, and that good thing hasn’t suddenly disappeared, but performances like this should not be repeated, otherwise the good vibe will soon be over. Antwerp has lost the lead in any case: Genk is now first. An interesting duel awaits next weekend.
STANDARD: Bodart, Dussenne, Bokadi, Cimirot, Fossey (77′ Dewaele), W. Balikwisha, Raskin, Alzate (85′ Melegoni), Donnum (70′ Laursen), Canak (70′ David), Dragus (77′ Perica)
ANTWERP: Butez, Bataille (46′ Stengs), Alderweireld, Pacho, Vines (17′ De Laet), Yusuf, Gerkens, Ekkelenkamp (46′ Nainggolan), Muja (68′ Scott), Frey (60′ M. Balikwisha), Janssen
GOALS: 2′ Balikwisha (1-0), 4′ Dragus (2-0), 9′ Canak (3-0)
YELLOW CARDS: Janssen, Stengs, De Laet, Dussenne, Davida
RED CARDS: no
REFEREE: Lothar D’Hondt
