GAMES Anderlecht lost 2-0 to Club Brugge and there is nothing to criticize. Just like in the regular competition, Anderlecht could not make an offensive fist at any time, it even managed not to play a single chance together. Tzolis before halftime and Vermant after halftime provided the goals. Anderlecht's rivals in these Champions' playoffs are not Genk and Club Brugge, but rather Antwerp and Gent.
Before halftime, we got to see one-way soccer and unfortunately it was not Anderlecht's. Purple White had to immediately go on the defensive and would not get out of the hedgehog position before halftime. Club Brugge, which pushed the gas pedal at times, had chances. However, Coosemans again acted as the last lifeline for Purple White. He saved a header from Tzolis and was on hand on a number of shots.
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Continue reading Anderlecht could not create anything in possession of the ball outside of a few desperate attempts from very difficult positions. Angulo provided the only occasional attacking action from purplewhite.
Club then scored the 1-0 anyway through Tzolis in minute 34. An absolutely avoidable counter-goal after ball loss by Hazard who counted too easily on a mistake by the Greek. Seven minutes later, the 2-0 was disallowed after a foul by Jutgla on Coosemans.
Hasi immediately substituted three players after halftime and that did make purple-white play a little more soccer. Bruges didn't seem to mind the purple-white ball possession and chose their moments to be dangerous.
Anderlecht didn't get a chance, so Brugge decided to put an end to this farce. That happened in minute 70 when Coosemans couldn't clamp down on a shot by Vanaken. Vermant worked the rebound neatly into goal.
After Verschaeren made his return, De Cuyper hit the crossbar eight minutes later. In the closing stages, Anderlecht almost managed to create a chance after all. Next week Anderlecht will take on Genk and then it will become clear if Anderlecht will play any significant role in the play-offs. The key games for purple-white will undoubtedly be played against Antwerp and Gent. Hasi hopefully already noticed today that Anderlecht's backs cannot add any value in terms of midfield footballing ability. They couldn't do that under Hubert either.
