Courageous Anderlecht loses with ten

GAMES Anderlecht lost to Union for the sixth time in a row. The devil was again in the beginning of the match. This time, however, it was not a quick goal by Union, but a red card for Purple and White. After half-time, however, Anderlecht stepped out of the dressing room with renewed courage. It took the lead through Silva and seemed on its way to winning points, but a savvy Union scored three more goals in the closing stages including a shot that deflected twice.


Anderlecht's rather positive start was quickly overshadowed. Indeed, Anderlecht fell by ten after just 12 minutes following a lengthy VAR intervention after a red card for N'Diaye who had pushed Lazare down. Still, quite a harsh judgement. Sardella came on for the unfortunate Refaelov. Anderlecht lost their touch and Verbruggen saved the 0-1 after Adingra was left all alone. After half an hour, a sloppily playing Purple and White got away well after a quick break from the speedy Lazare.

In minute 41, Burgess brought down Amuzu without a pardon. While Amuzu was not explicitly alone on his way to goal, that would have been possible without the foul. This time, though, yellow was apparently sufficient. Meanwhile, the match had turned into a card-fest with seven yellow cards before half-time. Another good save by Verbruggen on a shot by Nieuwkoop followed on the stroke of half-time. Murillo prevented Vanzeir's rebound.

Anderlecht, however, came out of the dressing room with renewed courage and created several near-chances. On a breakaway, Amuzu was not well played on by Ashimeru, who played like a reborn after halftime. Verbruggen, meanwhile, cleverly pushed a shot by Vanzeir into a corner. On the next breakaway, Anderlecht were on target. Amuzu crossed and Silva cleverly got in front of his man to kick the ball beautifully into goal. Union was not really dangerous, although it regularly got a lot of space on the right. Lazare kicked into the side netting fifteen minutes before time.

Ten minutes before time, Union did equalise through Puertas after a nice pass from Lynen. It took advantage of the disarray at Purple White as Sardella had to wait a very long time to re-enter the field. But the deserved point for Anderlecht was also lost. Union climbed over Anderlecht in minute 86 with a lot of luck. A shot by Lynen diverged no less than twice on a Purple and White leg. Adingra did the books all the way later on a counter and finished perfectly. In the added time, Amuzu should still have been able to mitigate, but as often, his finishing was underwhelming.

So, in an eventful match, Anderlecht lost again to Union. Next week comes the move to Club Brugge and they will definitely be keen on a win. Moreover, Anderlecht will have to play the next two games without supporters. Anderlecht remains stuck on place 11 and now also has a negative goal difference. How long has that not been the case on matchday 19?

Score: 1-3
Goal(s):1-0 Silva (63'), 1-1 Puertas (80'), 1-2 Lynen (86'), 1-3 Adingra (89')

Anderlecht:Verbruggen, Murillo, Debast, Vertonghen, N'Diaye, Diawara (Trebel 81'), Ashimeru (Arnstad 68'), Refaelov (Sardella 11') (Kana 81'), Amuzu, Verschaeren, Silva (Raman 68')
Union:Moris, Nieuwkoop (Puertas 61'), Burgess, Kandouss (François 77), Van der Heyden, El Azzouzi (Lapoussin 61'), Amani (Terho 77'), Lynen, Adingra, Vanzeir (Nilsson 77'), Boniface

Yellow: Nieuwkoop 13', Ashimeru 19', Diawara 37', Burgess 41', Riemer 42', Vertonghen 44', Kandouss 44', Sardella 79', Amuzu 84'
Red: N'Diaye 12'

Referee: Bram Van Driessche
Stadium: Lotto Park