Brussels, Belgium — The Belgian Pro League playoff clash between Anderlecht and Sint-Truiden has been delayed by 15 minutes due to severe traffic congestion affecting Anderlecht supporters en route to the Stayen Stadium in Sint-Truiden. Kickoff is now scheduled for 20:45 local time (18:45 UTC), down from the originally planned 20:30 start.
The delay comes as Anderlecht confirmed that Thorgan Hazard will not feature in the starting lineup for the crucial third-place playoff match. Instead, the Belgian international winger will begin the game on the bench, according to team sources verified ahead of the match.
In Hazard’s absence, Anderlecht head coach Jérémy Taravel has opted to start midfielder Filip Cvetkovic and forward Gianluca Bertaccini in the starting eleven. Both players were confirmed in the lineup released by the club prior to the delayed kickoff.
The match holds significant implications for Anderlecht’s European ambitions. A victory would secure third place in the playoff standings, guaranteeing direct qualification for next season’s UEFA Europa Conference League and alleviating pressure ahead of the Belgian Cup final.
Anderlecht have been inconsistent in recent weeks, but a win tonight would represent a turning point in their season. The club has emphasized the importance of avoiding an over-reliance on cup success, having learned from last season’s disappointment when heavy focus on the Coupe de Belgique final left them drained in the league’s closing stages.
For Sint-Truiden, the game represents an opportunity to spoil Anderlecht’s playoff push and finish the season on a high note. The home side has shown resilience in recent fixtures and will look to capitalize on the visiting team’s delayed arrival and potential disruption to pre-match preparations.
Traffic issues were reported primarily on the E40 highway connecting Brussels to Sint-Truiden, with multiple Anderlecht fan buses caught in delays. Local authorities confirmed the congestion but did not provide specific details on duration or affected vehicle numbers.
As of the delayed kickoff time, both teams were confirmed to be warming up on the pitch at Stayen Stadium. No further changes to the starting lineups have been reported following the delay.
The match will be closely watched as a potential predictor of Anderlecht’s momentum heading into the cup final. A strong performance could validate Taravel’s tactical selections and provide a psychological boost ahead of the season’s decisive match.
Fans unable to attend due to the travel disruption are advised to follow official club channels for live updates. The Belgian Pro League has confirmed that the delayed start will not affect broadcast schedules, with coverage proceeding as planned from the recent kickoff time.
Anderlecht’s next fixture is the Belgian Cup final, scheduled for one week from tonight. A third-place finish in the playoffs would ensure European qualification regardless of the cup outcome, providing a safety net for the club’s season objectives.
For continued coverage of the Anderlecht vs Sint-Truiden match and all Belgian Pro League playoff action, stay tuned to verified sports news sources. Share your thoughts on the delayed kickoff and lineup selections in the comments below.
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