GAMES A weak Anderlecht was held to a 1-1 draw in OHL. After Leuven had the best chance before halftime, Anderlecht made it 0-1 after the break via Vazquez's knee. Because Anderlecht controlled the game after the break, the hardest part seemed to be over, but the Purple & White suddenly relinquished possession to OHL and retreated. Anderlecht paid for this reserved play in the 80th minute with the equalizer. Another win in Leuven for the Purple & White, who once again barely managed to create a single chance.
Anderlecht were struggling before halftime, both offensively and defensively. OHL started with great conviction, and the Purple & White central duo had their hands full with Ikuemesi. A more agile OHL initially created few clear-cut chances and couldn't capitalize on Anderlecht's defensive errors.
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Continue reading On the half-hour mark, Anderlecht – who had the majority of the ball – came into the game slightly better. However, a long shot from Saliba would prove to be the visitors' most dangerous strike before halftime. OHL had their best chance to open the scoring before halftime when Coosemans had to unleash a shot, but saved Gil's rebound with his fist.
Anderlecht couldn't complain about the 0-0 halftime score, especially since they couldn't create anything themselves.
Anderlecht did take the lead with a bit of luck ten minutes after the break. Vazquez connected with Angulo's free kick with his knee, and the ball flew straight into the net. After the crucial moment seemed to have happened, the Purple & White suddenly handed the ball to OHL, even though Leuven had barely managed to get out of their own half after the break. Hazard and Camara came on for Vazquez and Angulo in the 73rd minute. Anderlecht thus played without a true striker until Cvetkovic came on in stoppage time.
Although OHL hadn't been able to create any danger up to that point, Anderlecht paid for their reserved play with OHL's equalizer in the 80th minute. After a ball was poorly cleared, substitute Maziz fired a shot past a pair of legs and also past Coosemans, who perhaps saw the ball too late. Shortly after, Sardella even prevented the 2-1 by clearing a ball off the line. Anderlecht had another chance, but Saliba's shot went wildly over.
Anderlecht thus only managed to get one point clear of OHL, and they only had themselves to blame. Despite their best efforts, chances were practically nonexistent, and why Anderlecht surrendered the game after going 0-1 remains a mystery. You know a cross, corner, or shot can always land well, as it did. Anderlecht have scored only twice in their last three matches, and each time with a fair amount of luck. When you score so little, it means that every goal conceded almost automatically results in a loss of points.
