GAMES There's certainly some spark in the new Anderlecht, but they're still playing a lot of false notes. The Purple & White suffered a painful 2-3 defeat to newly promoted Zulte Waregem, who took the lead three times at Lotto Park. Anderlecht again proved particularly vulnerable at the back and also failed to reach the expected attacking level. Consequently, Anderlecht lost valuable points and will have to work hard next weekend in Dender to avoid a disappointing start.
Anderlecht's first half was painful to watch. The Purple & White played lethargically, sluggishly, and uninspired against Zulte Waregem, who had further strengthened their defense. Anderlecht had to find a response, but it hardly happened. Hazard should have done better early in the match when Gabriel was far from his goal. Maamar curled another ball a meter wide, but Anderlecht didn't manage anything more against the newly promoted team.
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Continue reading The Purple & White's stumble resulted in a counter-goal for Zulte Waregem on the half-hour mark when Hedl was sent through on goal, and Anderlecht's central duo were easily caught. Hedl rounded Coosemans and finished neatly. Referee Put did interfere with Saliba during that phase, who, incidentally, was very weak. However, he was far from the only one to fail.
Bertaccini and Degreef started the second half in place of Saliba and Maamar. Anderlecht quickly had a golden opportunity to level the score with a penalty. After a foul on Angelo, Dolberg converted the penalty. Anderlecht pressed on for a while, but that mainly resulted in a series of harmless corners. Just after the hour mark, Gabriel saved a swerving shot from Dolberg.
Although Anderlecht improved after the break, Zulte Waregem struck again from their first chance. Ujka headed low into the net from a corner. But a few minutes later, the score was 2-2 after Bertaccini unwittingly pushed a ball into the net, which Angulo headed across the net. Tanghe, however, was credited with the own goal. Immediately after the equalizer, fifteen minutes before the end, Stroeykens and Vazquez came on for Hazard and Dolberg.
In the closing stages of regulation time, Bertaccini and Vazquez had a good chance to make it 3-2, but Gabriel saved twice. Anderlecht, however, were caught cold again. On another counter-attack, after De Cat lost possession, Traoré was sent deep. Coosemans made the first save, but Erenbjerg had followed well and fired home a precise and powerful shot to make it 2-3. Zulte Waregem played almost at 100% this afternoon. Almost, because Coosemans kept Traoré from making it 2-4 in the very final stages.
A very painful defeat for Anderlecht, who seemed to have a viable schedule in August, but that can now be ruled out. It's still very early in the season, but the defensive vulnerability remains a major concern. Moreover, Saliba, for the second time in a row, looks very pale and nervous. Perhaps it's best to be careful about jettisoning too many midfielders, as we don't yet know whether Saliba and Hatenboer are effective reinforcements at this point.
Anderlecht lost 3-2 to Zulte Waregem for the third time in a row. Last season, they also suffered serious setbacks against the clubs promoted from 1B, with a meager 4 points out of 12.
