GAMES A very bad Anderlecht lost 2-0 at Viktoria Plzen. An admittedly battered Anderlecht fell behind very quickly and just before half-time, Adu doubled the score for the Czechs who had also missed a penalty in the meantime. Anderlecht was really nowhere on the whole line and escaped a beating as Plzen also hit the crossbar or the post three times.
Anderlecht's unbeaten status in Europe soon got a big dent. While Purple and White were sleeping, Plzen scored with a low shot that slipped through Dendoncker's legs. After ten minutes, it could have been 2-0 as well, but Coosemans saved a weakly kicked penalty.
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Continue reading Anderlecht tried to make a move with the courage of desperation, but it failed to attack. Degreef kicked a weak goal. Plzen did let Anderlecht have the ball a bit more and it didn't play that great per se, but it showed more dueling power.
Especially the strong Ghanaian striker Adu caused some headaches. Dendoncker was outplayed shortly before halftime and Adu poked the ball against the post. Unfortunately, Anderlecht did not escape a third time. After Simic lost his duel, Adu was able to score in the short corner just before halftime because Dendoncker also failed to intervene sufficiently. Verschaeren came on after halftime, but the picture was the same. The poor pitch may have had something to do with it, but even the simplest pass and cross went wrong. Plzen hit the post twice more, while Anderlecht did not even attempt to score. Even the substitutes could not turn the tide. Fifteen minutes before time, Rits was able to shoot, but the attempt was blocked.
A hopeless defeat for Anderlecht who couldn't make a fist tonight and were outclassed from minute three by the physically stronger and more enthusiastic Czechs who hadn't played a match for a long time. We have to wait for the other results to see what impact this defeat will have on Anderlecht's standings. Anderlecht will play its last match against German side Hoffenheim next week.
MATCH STORY 90'+2: Leoni kicks yet another bad cross tonight. 88': Hazard tries, but the ship has long since sunk. 82': Vasilin is able to head in on corner kick but too central. 76': Adu can easily strike out and hits the far post. The third time Plzen hit the post. 74': Attempt by Rits, but it is blocked. 65': Coosemans delivers to Adu, but the striker is pinned. 64': Cadu's cross is stranded at the far post. Anderlecht is lucky again. 60': Hubert makes three substitutions. 50': The pitch does look dramatic. 46': Plzen almost scores the 3-0. Adu kicks at Coosemans. 46': Verschaeren falls in for Maamar.
HALF-TIME
45': 2-0 for Plzen via Adu. Simic loses the duel after which even Dendoncker cannot intervene sufficiently. Adu pops in the short corner into goal. 40': Dendoncker with fumble, Adu pokes the ball against the crossbar. Simic pulls away in time. 34': Degreef shoots far wide. 27': Dendoncker is trounced by the strong Prince Adu. 24': Degreef with a weak shot. However, the situation is similar to the phase that led to the 1-0. 23': Anderlecht has slightly more ball possession now. 13': Weak header by Angulo, though Anderlecht's first ball between the posts. 11': Coosemans saves Sulc's weakly kicked penalty. 10': Penalty for Plzen after a clumsy move by Foket. 6': Anderlecht does not touch a ball. 3': 1-0. Plzen scores immediately through a low shot by Cerv. Anderlecht is just sleeping here. The ball flies between the legs of Dendoncker in goal.
