Delcroix provides smallest difference in Bern

GAMES Anderlecht secured a nice starting position in Bern after a 0-1 win against the Young Boys. The Swiss started strong, but Anderlecht gradually took control of the match. That only resulted in chances after half-time. Delcroix scored after a shot by Silva was cleared from the line. Bern increased the pressure again, but Anderlecht's defence held up well. The 0-1 is a good result, but the qualification for the pools is far from over.


The Young Boys immediately took control of the match, which resulted in a good header opportunity for Itten. Immediately afterwards Van Crombrugge had to intervene twice on a shot by Rieder and the rebound. But the Swiss pressure subsided around the quarter hour mark and Purple and White managed to keep the ball in play for a bit longer. 

However, that did not result in any chances. Verschaeren saw a shot blocked off, but the Purple and White attackers were hard to reach. After a nice move, Itten committed a foul (always at least yellow) on Trebel who had to be taken care of with a shoulder problem.  Anderlecht held on well in a reasonably chanceless first half. 

After the break, Kana replaced the injured Trebel. Meanwhile, the referee kept showing his yellow cards for the at times tough Bern. Ten minutes after the break Anderlecht broke out well. Stroeykens was a shoe short to get the ball out. But a little later the purple and white were ahead 0-1. After a corner Hoedt crossed after Bern had played the ball backwards. Silva's attempt was cleared off the line, but Delcroix was in the right place for the rebound. Bern responded with a long shot from Camara and with a hard free kick from Rieder against the bar.

Raman came on to replace Stroeykens after the hour. Bern threw three new forces into the fray. The Swiss pushed Anderlecht backwards. A place ball landed just wide and Anderlecht had to try to get out of Bern's pressure, starting with keeping the ball in the team for a longer time. 

Fifteen minutes before the end of the match, Bern used their last substitute. Raman formed the one-man forward for the Purple and White in the last ten minutes. The Young Boys continued to attack, but it all seemed to happen without consultation. The weak referee gave Bern a free kick in added time after an imaginary foul by Kana. Van Crombrugge, however, paid close attention. In the absolute final phase, Raman could still reach Esposito, but the Italian hesitated instead of kicking.

So Anderlecht starts the return match with a one goal bonus.

Score: 0-1
Goal(s): 0-1 Delcroix 56'

Young Boys Bern:von Ballmoos, L. Blum (Rüegg 71'), Ali Camara, Zesiger, Lefort (Garcia 66'), Sierro (Rrudhani 66'), Niasse, Ngamaleu (Nsame 66'), Itten, Rieder, Elia (Ugrinic 76')
Anderlecht:Van Crombrugge, Debast, Hoedt, Delcroix, Murillo, Amuzu (Sadiki 81'), Trebel (Kana 46'), Arnstad (Esposito 90'+2), Verschaeren, Stroeykens (Raman 62'), Silva (Olsson 81')

Yellow: Murillo 41', Blum 62', Zesiger 75', Mazzu 75', Olsson 86', Arnstad 90'+2
Red:

Referee: Aleksandar Stavrev (N-Mac)
Stadium: Wankdorf Stadium