After an unexpected Champions League elimination at the hands of BATE Borisov, Anderlecht was able to boost its confidence in the Belgian league: it defeated Cercle Bruges 3-0 on the opening match of the season.
Anderlecht coach Ariël Jacobs was forced to shuffle his team around due to the absence of Lucas Biglia. Bart Goor took his place in midfield, while Jelle Van Damme returned to boost the defence. With Frutos, Suarez and Kanu injured, Vlcek was the only available striker.
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Continue reading The home-team threatened first: Iachtchouk got past Juhasz but the former Anderlecht striker aimed his shot wide. However, it was Anderlecht who opened the score: Van Damme, continuing his goal-scoring form of last season, headed a corner past Cercle goalie Verbist.
The early goal gave the Mauves a boost as they kept control of the game. Cercle Bruges, who surprised friend and foe last season, had trouble developing its trademark passing game and creating chances. They came closest when shock summer transfer Thomas Buffel aimed a shot inches over the crossbar.
Cercle coach De Boeck tried to turn the tide by bringing in Gombani for Sergeant from the second half on, but again it were the visitors who scored. Boussoufa isolated Legear with an incisive pass and the winger did not fail to score.
Things went from bad to worse for the home-team when Boussoufa was fouled in the penalty area by Buffel. Chatelle secured Anderlecht’s first victory of the season from the penalty spot.
