GAMES Anderlecht has a lot to think about during the winter break. They lost 1-2 to Charleroi, who were the better team on the pitch. Anderlecht was nowhere to be seen and only scored through a penalty by Hazard after 24 minutes. By then, however, it was already 0-2. Anderlecht didn't even manage to create a single chance worthy of the name in the second half. The Purple & White have to let the top 3 slip away and could see Mechelen close the gap to two points tomorrow.
There you are, with victories against Club Brugge and Union, only to get zero out of six against Charleroi. Their home reputation was a foundation on which they could build, but if that disappears too, the rest of the competition may not look so bright. Injuries are starting to take their toll, the top three are sprinting away, and with a difficult schedule after the winter break, the question must be asked: what can the Purple & White still hope for in the regular competition? If no targeted reinforcements are brought in, participation in Play-off 1 seems to be the maximum achievable at this point. In that respect, the defeats of Standard and Genk are a good thing. The first match after the winter break in the Croky Cup will be even more important than it already was.
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Continue reading As has often been the case in recent weeks, Anderlecht started the match far too weakly. The Purple & White sluggishly shuffled across the field, while Charleroi looked dangerous. After fifteen minutes, the visitors took the lead after a phase in which they were given all the time and space they needed.
After objects were thrown at the Charleroi players, Van Driessche suspended the match for 15 minutes. The unexpected break clearly did not inspire or motivate Anderlecht, as Guiagon immediately scored the 0-2. Coosemans did not look good on this goal, fumbling the ball.
Just like last weekend, Anderlecht was down 0-2 and, just like last weekend, Hazard scored the 1-2 from the penalty spot after a foul on Bertaccini. Despite the goal and renewed hope, Anderlecht continued to struggle to combine. Charleroi had a lot of space at times and it was only in the last quarter of an hour that Anderlecht managed to contain the Carolos better, but the Purple & White did not create much danger themselves.
Anderlecht tried to change tack after the break, but played at the same slow pace and with the same sloppy play as before the break. Cvetkovic headed in the 52nd minute, but Delavallée made a good save. Five minutes later, VAR kept Anderlecht alive by disallowing a third goal by Charleroi for offside.
Anderlecht continued to perform below par. In the last half hour, Anderlecht failed to create a single chance, let alone put Charleroi under any pressure. Even in the long period of added time, only a header from Vazquez posed any threat to Charleroi.
Without 100% commitment and concentration, there is not much left of this Anderlecht team. If Anderlecht is not at its best, it can lose to any club in the JPL.
MATCH REPORT 90'+6: Delavallée saves a header from Vazquez. 90'+1: Colassin shoots a meter wide. 90': Anderlecht has seven minutes to salvage something. 88': Vazquez comes on for Maamar. 85': Anderlecht just can't create any chances. 75': Bertaccini is replaced by Kanaté. 73': Titraoui has a chance to shoot, but he doesn't realize how much time and space he has. 64': Degreef and Verschaeren replace Cvetkovic and Saliba. Hazard seems to be the deepest player. 57': Anderlecht escapes. Coosemans is unable to hold onto a low free kick due to a few small deflections and looks very clumsy. Ouso pushes the ball into the goal, but the VAR disallows the goal for offside. 56': Angulo's dribble fails in a dangerous spot. 56': Charleroi continues to play well and simply. 50': Delavallée makes a good save on a header from Cvetkovic in the near corner. 48': N'Diaye makes a last-minute tackle on Bernier. 46': Can Anderlecht salvage anything today or will it be another costly slip-up?
HALF-TIME
45'+3: Hazard's corners are really not up to standard. 44': Messy phase in front of goal. De Cat ultimately kicks wide. 41': Charleroi escapes two yellow cards. 39': Angulo with a free kick from the flank that is far too high. 35': The goal has not given Anderlecht wings yet. They are still struggling to combine. 34': Saliba's shot goes a meter wide. 30': Anderlecht is leaving a lot of space for the visitors at times. They also have no target man to push forward. 29': Anderlecht is having a lot of trouble with Scheidler, who is winning just about every duel. 25': Hey receives a yellow card and will miss the match in Ghent. In addition to the Dane, De Cat, Bertaccini, and Llansana are also in danger of suspension. 24': 1-2. Hazard scores from the spot, just like last week. 22': Van Driessche has to check the VAR for the phase with Bertaccini. Penalty for Anderlecht. 20': Maamar scores, but the ball was already over the line. Bertaccini went down earlier in the penalty area. 15': 0-2. Guiagon strikes surprisingly. Coosemans plays flycatcher and misses. Just like last weekend, Anderlecht is facing a double deficit. 14': Can Anderlecht now start the match?
==Match suspended for 15 minutes==
13': Van Driessche stops the game after objects are thrown at the Charleroi players while they are celebrating the goal. Normally, nothing else should happen now, or the game may be abandoned. 12': 0-1. Camara scores unmarked after being played in by Pflücke. Saliba lets Camara run and the defense just stands by. 10': Coosemans blocks a low shot from Plfücke. A good save by the goalkeeper. 9': Titraoui with a low shot, not far off target. 6': Anderlecht's start is anything but spectacular. Who stayed up too late last night? 5': Ousou leans on and pulls Cvetkovic. Corner. 2': Scheidler with the first attempt. The ball goes over.
