The skin of the bear … Anderlecht booked a dream victory against AZ (2-0) tonight and thus cashed in an excellent starting position for next week’s second leg. “But we haven’t even thought about the semi-final for a second. First the return”, it sounded in unison with the Purple & White.
Anderlecht taught AZ a lesson in efficiency.
“The difference between AZ and us? That we scored and they didn’t. AZ was certainly not the lesser in the game,” Jan Vertonghen admitted after the 2-0 triumph in the Conference League game.
“This is how you should play a match: give away few chances and finish the small chances”, goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen also follows his captain’s conclusion. “It was nice to see how our guys finished it.”
We have the best cards for the second leg, but we can’t throw them away.
Verbruggen himself was also one of the stars in the Purple & White. A constant in recent weeks. In the past 6 games he kept 0 6 times, made 25 saves and prevented 4 goals.
“Of clean-sheets are not my achievement, but the team’s”, the Dutchman always remained modest. “I am happy that I can contribute to the collective.”
Anderlecht are unbeaten in their last seven matches. And who would have thought before the New Year that the Purple & White would be so close to a European semi-final?
“We are indeed in a positive flow,” says Verbruggen. “But we’re not in the semi-finals yet, are we? We haven’t had that feeling for a second. We still have a crucial duel in Alkmaar ahead of us.”
Brian Riemer also tempered things. “There hasn’t been any celebration in the dressing room yet”, said the Anderlecht coach. “We have the best cards for the second leg, but we can’t throw them away.”
Check out the full reactions below:
