GAMES Anderlecht lost again to Club Brugge, this time without posing a real threat: 1-3. Brugge even squandered three one-on-one chances. Anderlecht was virtually uninspired in possession and its defence rattled like a battered old car.
Angély early on put the ball into his own net to make it 0-1. On the hour Brugge settled the game by scoring the 0-2 and 0-3, both after defensive errors. Cvetkovic later stuck a small bandage on the wound with the 1-3.
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Continue reading Anderlecht fell behind quite early — the fifth time in six matches — when Angély unfortunately diverted a cross into his own goal in the eighth minute, though Forbs was also ready to tap it in. Anderlecht's back line cracked on all sides. While Angély was not out of place when building from the back, he hesitated and Tzolis broke through alone on Coosemans, only to hit the post after a fingertip save. After an unlucky collision both Diarra and Jackers had to be substituted. After that Tzolis' chance Club Brugge were not particularly dangerous before half-time, and they defended comfortably. Anderlecht lost too many duels, resorted too often to the long ball and, as so often this season, lacked invention when in possession. Only in the long added time did the home side show itself again, via a good opening from Degreef.
The second half began with renewed hope for Anderlecht, and Tresoldi had the first decent opportunity from a corner. The home team briefly looked better, but it was again Club Brugge who created the next big chance through Vetlesen.
Despite Anderlecht's intentions, Club Brugge decided the match on the hour. A sloppy pass out of the back from Coosemans allowed Brugge to switch quickly; nobody picked up Forbs and the Portuguese striker made it 0-2. Barely had the restart been taken when Tzolis was allowed to race from his own half towards Coosemans' goal. A handful of Anderlecht players chased in vain as the Greek finished neatly into the far corner.
Fortunately for Anderlecht, Club Brugge showed some mercy. Both Tzolis and Vermant missed one-on-ones with Coosemans, so instead of 0-4 it became 1-3 when Cvetkovic converted a Bertaccini pass in the 82nd minute. The substitute Huerta — returning from an injury since October — tried a low shot, but van den Heuvel intervened well and spared Brugge a nervy finale.
Anderlecht now faces two crucial matches: this Sunday at Ghent in the fight for fourth place, and then the Croky Cup final against Union.
