GAMES Anderlecht lost 0-1 in the first leg of the Croky Cup semi-final. Antwerp will be the most aggrieved: they finished the match with nine men after red cards for Sardella (second yellow) and Diarra. An once again desperately weak Anderlecht did show some commitment, but suffered from a clear lack of quality. It created only half-chances, meaning a near-miracle will be required next week at the Bosuil.
Anderlecht failed to score for the third time in a row — “Get a real replacement for Dolberg? Are you crazy?” must have been the thought in the boardroom — and the football remains a great misery to watch. If the Purple and Whites do not recover quickly, they could be preparing next season in a few weeks. At this level, this season is truly beyond saving. Still, Anderlecht clings to the (vain) hope that the Croky Cup final is not entirely out of reach.
Continue reading below the article
Continue reading They have achieved almost nothing away from home this season and must now go to Antwerp next week and win by at least one goal to force extra time. In a first half defined more by effort than quality, Anderlecht were hit in stoppage time. Janssen was allowed to head freely from a corner and Sardella, with either a reflex or a poor clearance, diverted the ball into his own net. The first quarter-hour was quickly forgettable, but Anderlecht then created a few chances through Hazard and Saliba. Still, the Purple and Whites looked awkward in the danger area. Antwerp were dangerous on the counter and Vandeplas really should have put the visitors ahead after a dreadful backpass from Maamar. Coosemans kept Anderlecht in it, but from the ensuing corner Janssen was left completely unmarked and made it 0-1. In added time there was another chance for Bertaccini, but his effort went wide.
Despite the setback, Anderlecht began the second half with renewed resolve, but that only produced a few crosses that nobody met. Around the hour mark Antwerp could have nearly sealed the tie, but Vandeplas frustratingly failed to tap a cross into the net. Anderlecht then shot themselves in the foot. Sardella picked up a second yellow in the 73rd minute and five minutes later Diarra was shown a straight red, meaning the Purple and Whites had to finish with nine men. Both cards were entirely justified. Antwerp, naturally, pushed for more and introduced additional attacking changes. Babadi struck the post from a sharp angle. Anderlecht still had a moment of danger through Verschaeren, the only player of note for them after the break. In stoppage time Coosemans kept his team in the tie with a superb save from a fierce Al-Sahafi shot. Final score: Anderlecht 0–1 Antwerp (own goal Sardella 45'+1).
