Champions League: victory but no miracle

THURSDAY, 7 DECEMBER 2017, 14:07 - D.A.B.
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GAMES Anderlecht ended the Champions League campaign with three points. The Mauves won their last match in Celtic, but couldn't score enough goals to take the 3rd place. They share the 3rd spot with Celtic, that advanced to the Europa League thanks to a better aggregate score against Anderlecht.

The Mauves performance is better week after week since coach Vanhaezebrouck took over. Where Anderlecht played a dramatic match at home against the Scots, they now took immediate control over the match. Sven Kums should have opened the score after two minutes when he had an open chance, but his effort was too weak allowing Gordon to make a spectacular save. Anderlecht remained dominant for the entire first 45 minutes, creating a few more chances. The best ones were for Trebel, but Gordon also saved his two attempts on goal. Celtic were lucky to make it to half time with the 0-0 still on the scoreboard.


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The second half was more balanced. Celtic had made a double substitution at half time and especially Ntcham proved to be an improvement. Anderlecht had also used a lot of energy and dropped the pace a little. The home team was able to create a bit of danger this way. Forrest had the only decent chance with a shot from distance. The eventually fell on the other side: Appiah centred and Gerkens' header went in via Simunovic' shoulder: 0-1, a deserved lead. Anderlecht still had half an hour to score twice, but choose to conserve the lead. Celtic weren't able to do something about the scoreline and the match ended in a 0-1 victory.

Unfortunately it means the end for Anderlecht in the European campaign. The dramatic match at home against Celtic cost Anderlecht the third place in the group.