In his analysis of the 12th match day, Peter Vandenbempt talks about the growing nervousness at Anderlecht after the defeat against Club Brugge. Antwerp’s weak performance against Standard is also discussed.
“Every match becomes more and more a test for Mazzu as Anderlecht coach”
It was perhaps one of the better games of the season for Anderlecht. And that against the champions of the Champions League.
Without that dazzling Simon Mignolet, who is absolutely world class at the moment, Anderlecht might have won yesterday.
There was a lot in Anderlecht’s game: surrender, grinta and fighting spirit. At times also good and vertical football and plenty of opportunities.
Striking stars were the young Arnstad and the solid organization with 3 players in the back, the much criticized system of Mazzu.
However, there was a lot of pressure on this very young team. That tragic first half against KV Mechelen and the reasonable non-performance against West Ham added to all those defeats caused a growing nervousness.
Mazzu has reportedly been tougher than ever with his players on Friday and Saturday. He himself was also confronted with the weak figures.
Those defeats were often about the intensity of his players, all signs of that growing stress and insecurity.
Anderlecht could have won and then the world would look completely different.
Also in the stands a feared part of the fans was ready to storm the field in the event of a failure or an early deficit against Club Brugge. That is the situation in which Anderlecht find themselves.
The team has shown a reaction, a reaction that was necessary. Anderlecht could have won and then the world looked completely different today.
Well, the reality is that Anderlecht only has 2 victories in its last 8 matches, 7 out of 24, has lost no less than 9 out of 20 matches this season and is 9 points behind the top 4.
To Standard Sunday, to Antwerp and against Genk… That is not the ideal program for a series of victories. And that is what Anderlecht urgently needs.
With every defeat, every match becomes more and more a kind of test for Felice Mazzu as coach of Anderlecht.
Fabio Silva was unable to score with Anderlecht in the classic against Club Brugge.
“Antwerp was overtaken on all sides by Standard”
Antwerp lost 3-0 against Standard and that is due to 2 elements.
First of all, there is the enthusiasm, dedication and quality of Standard with that beautiful discovery, the 17-year-old Canak, in a leading role.
Once again all praise for coach Deila, who has given Standard a great elan.
Deila herself also remains sober amid the euphoria. “The work is far from finished,” he says. “We’re really good against strong teams if we don’t have to make the game.”
Standard still has to make that progress to play well against lesser opponents.
The way the Antwerp defense struggled with Standard’s speed and agility was remarkable.
The second element of that 3-0 is the fact that Antwerp was not ready. It was trumped in the duels in the first 10 minutes and was rushed past on all sides.
The players explicitly indicated that they had a bit of a problem with that other field occupation. Coach Van Bommel can then charge himself for that.
Antwerp had no answer to the position of that Canak. And the way the defense struggled with Standard’s speed and agility was also remarkable.
But okay, in total it was a weak game from Antwerp after those first 10 minutes. The coach can say that it was 0-0 in the last 80 minutes. That of course makes no sense.
Anyway, the glass is still more than half full for Antwerp. It has won 10 times in 12 matches. But at the same time you can also say that Antwerp has lost 2 times in the last 3 matches.
On Sunday – after the midweek matchday – there will be the top match against the new leader KRC Genk. Before the World Cup, there are also duels against Anderlecht and Club Brugge. You can of course throw away a lot in the last month before the World Cup.
