GAMES Anderlecht lost the 'clasico' 2-0 and have collected just two points out of fifteen now. Standard, the side that showed more commitment, took full advantage twice of poor defending from the Mauves: once around the half-hour mark, once just after the break. Anderlecht failed to take their moments through Bertaccini — scoring remains a major problem — and qualification for Play-Off 1 is now in acute danger. Anderlecht can be caught up with on the next matchday.
It remains baffling how weakly the team started yet again, and how poorly they emerged from the dressing room, especially given the pressure already surrounding this game. Goals are a huge issue and the quality (what little there was) seems to have vanished for some time. On top of that Anderlecht will have to travel to Genk next weekend without De Cat (suspended) and probably again without Kana (new injury). Thursday brings another crucial fixture: the first leg of the Croky Cup semi-final against Antwerp.
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Continue reading The match began relatively calmly, but Standard took the initiative and played with more grit and conviction. They earned many corners but few clear chances early on. Anderlecht barely had possession and struggled with Standard's pressing. Standard made the most of their first opportunity on 29 minutes. Saïd reached the byline and slipped a low cross in; Karamoko, aided by a weak Anderlecht defence, could steer the ball into the net.
Only after falling behind did Anderlecht improve. De Cat released Bertaccini clean through on Pirard, but he shot wide — a miss that proved costly. Five minutes before half-time Angulo had two attempts but the Liège defence stood firm. In the closing moments of the first half Kana again had to leave the pitch injured.
Despite the comparatively better spell before the break, Anderlecht squandered any chance of a comeback immediately after half-time. Coosemans kept them in it with a save following an extremely casual pass from substitute Llansana, but two minutes later Saïd made it 2-0: Sardella was caught asleep on a long ball and the attacker lobbed it over Coosemans.
After that Standard sat back and tried to close the game down. Anderlecht only threatened in the 68th minute, when Hazard set up Bertaccini but Pirard produced a good save. In the 80th minute Bertaccini headed over from another good opportunity — he should have scored at least once today. Late on Cvetkovic struck the post from a tight angle, but Standard had long known the three points were theirs.
Yet another limp performance from Anderlecht, who seem barely able to collect points without the necessary fight.
Final score: Standard 2 — Anderlecht 0 Goals: 1-0 Karamoko 29', 2-0 Saïd 48'
