Terribly weak Anderlecht goes down again

GAMES Anderlecht has lost once again. It went down deservedly with 2-1 in Westerlo that already scored after 5 minutes. Anderlecht didn't create any chances until Esposito, with a nice goal, leveled the score after the break. But in the final phase, Westerlo countered to the 2-1. By the way, Westerlo still got a lot of chances against Anderlecht who left an unmotivated impression for the umpteenth time.


There are still certainties in soccer and certainly with Anderlecht. As often (and also during the historic defeats in Westerlo) Anderlecht let the cheese be eaten from the bread in the beginning. Anderlecht gave a fiercely started Westerlo all the time they needed to combine on the left and before they woke up from their afternoon nap, Vetokele centrally tapped in the 1-0 goal. After ten minutes Van Crombrugge saved a Chadli effort. Westerlo outclassed the visitors on all levels with a clearly stronger will to win.

After half an hour Anderlecht combined on an acceptable level for the first time when things started moving. With half-time already in sight, Stroeykens controlled nicely, but his shot could even have been stopped by Bolat with his little finger. Moments later Sadiki was able to clear a corner just in time after a misunderstanding. So after yet another weak first half Anderlecht were escorted to the dressing room under justified boos from the visiting supporters.

After the break, 16-year-old saviour Duranville was taken off the bench. After Hoedt failed to control the ball on the run, Dierckx had a great opportunity. Van Crombrugge saved Anderlecht with his foot. Mazzu brought in Esposito for Diawara, but chances were still too much. For Westerlo, they still managed to do so sometimes. Van Crombrugge hesitated to come out, but Nene's attempt hit the bar.

But suddenly Esposito showed his class for the first time in the competition. The Italian cleverly cut himself free and headed the ball into the far corner of the goal. Westerlo did not let up and threatened again a few times. A shot by Vaesen was unleashed by Van Crombrugge, but the following Foster was unable to profit from it.

However, that was postponement of execution. Esposito lost the ball too easily, giving Westerlo plenty of space to counter. Akbunar showed no mercy and finished through the legs of Van Crombrugge. A rooting Anderlecht still had a half chance for Silva, but there were too many Westerlo players in the way.

Fourth defeat for Anderlecht who, also this afternoon, never really gave the impression of wanting to win. Even though Anderlecht isn't the top team of Belgium anymore, every opponent still plays the match of the year against Purple and White and moreover, they smell blood because they realize how (mentally) vulnerable this Anderlecht is. And has the board forgotten that with Gomez and Zirkzee the two best players of last season left and were not replaced? Vertonghen and Silva, although handsome transfers, do not match the profiles of Gomez and Zirkzee. This Anderlecht is hanging together like loose sand and will also have to deal with Conference League matches this season. That can be both a curse and a blessing for a team, but this core just doesn't seem ready (especially mentally) to compete in Europe as well as in the league. After only eight matches, Anderlecht is already nine points behind Club Bruges and if Antwerp wins later on, they can already be fourteen points behind the leader. Anderlecht has the knife to its throat and can't do anything else but win the next home games against Kortrijk and Charleroi.

Score: 2-1
Goal(s): 1-0 Vetokele 5', 1-1 Esposito 70', 2-1 Akbunar 82'

Westerlo:Bolat, Reynolds, Seigers, Fixelles (Da Silva 58'), De Cuyper, Tagir, Chadli (Nene Dorgeles 58'), Madsen, Dierckx (Akbunar 75'), Foster (Perdichizzi 90+1'), Vetokele (Vaesen 75')
Anderlecht:Van Crombrugge, Debast, Hoedt, Delcroix, Sadiki (Duranville 46'), Amuzu (Murillo 74'), Diawara (Esposito 54'), Ashimeru, Verschaeren, Stroeykens (Refaelov 64'), Silva

Yellow: Hoedt 58', Reynolds 61', Stroeykens 64', Akbunar '82, Murillo 88'
Red:

Referee: Wim Smet
Stadium: Het Kuipje