Van Crombrugge saves Anderlecht against ten enthusiastic Danes

GAMES How do you best respond to criticism? By playing a very strong game and giving your team European wintering, Hendrik Van Crombrugge must have thought. Against Silkeborg, Anderlecht had every chance to win easily, but still it was shivering and trembling until the last second.


Anderlecht surprisingly started with Delcroix at left back and Vertonghen next to Debast in the center. Hoedt started on the bench. The opening phase was, as announced beforehand by coach Veldman, for the Danes. This did not lead to any chances. The first real attack, a very nice one by the way, by Anderlecht was successful. Amuzu with the subtle deviation, Verschaeren with the clever cross and Refaelov who deviated the ball into the far corner with a lot of feeling: 0-1.

Not much later, Klynge deservedly got a red card for bringing down Verschaeren, who broke through alone. Anderlecht appropriated the ball and played smoothly in the Silkeborg half. Refaelov had three big chances, but missed miserably. Certainly numbers two and three always had to go in. Only 0-1 at halftime. It gave the Danish citizen courage.

And with fresh courage, Silkeborg came out of the locker room. The fire was still burning and Silva failed to put it out. He cleverly cleared himself, but then shot over. Before that, Anderlecht had gotten away well the first time when Kusk was allowed to strike freely, but his aim was not set properly.

As the match progressed, Anderlecht found it increasingly difficult against ten enthusiastic Danes. Silkeborg showed they could play very good soccer and at times combined smoothly through the purple and white defense. Vertonghen and Van Crombrugge had to save the furniture a few times. Three minutes before time, Tengstedt had the chance for the equalizer, but Van Crombrugge kept Anderlecht in Europe.

Deep into injury time, Silva and Raman played out a final counter. Silva with the assist and Raman calmly stroked the ball over goalkeeper Larsen. Anderlecht thus advanced to the next round of the Conference League. Although, unfortunately, we have to admit that for Silkeborg that is far too heavily thickened.

Score: 0-2
Goal(s):20' Refaelov (0-1), 90+4' Raman (0-2)

Silkeborg:Larsen, Sonne, Salquist (86' Lind), Felix, Engel, Thordarson, Brink (46' Mattsson), Klynge, Kusk (86' Tengstedt), Helenius (71' Adamsen), Jorgensen
Anderlecht:Van Crombrugge, Sadiki (78' Ishaq), Debast, Vertonghen, Delcroix (59' Hoedt), Arnstad, Ashimeru (82' Diawara), Refaelov (78' Stroeykens), Verschaeren, Amuzu (59' Raman), Silva

Yellow: 29' Delcroix, 72' Debast, 80' Mattsson, 86' Silva
Red: 27' Klynge

Referee: Daniele Chiffi (Ita)
Stadium: JYSK park