GAMES Anderlecht have already suffered their first league defeat at SK Beveren. A rather lacklustre purple-and-white side lost 1-0 and showed too little attacking sharpness to wipe out an early deficit. It means Anderlecht are already dropping costly points this early in the season. Europe is currently going well for Anderlecht, but in the league the engine is still spluttering badly.
Where they escaped a loss of points last week, there was no new Houdini act possible in Beveren. They played with too little intensity and showed too little sharpness and precision in the decisive zone. Anderlecht did not even create any truly big chances, although they certainly could have scored at least once. If Anderlecht want to successfully combine Europe and the league, this is absolutely no good omen. Of course, it is still very early in the season, but there is still a chance to intervene now by strengthening the squad.
Continue reading below the article
Continue reading Both teams actually started the game freely, and Beveren got away with one when an own goal nearly went in. At the other end, Coosemans had to make a save with his foot. But after a quarter of an hour, the home side did take the lead, something Anderlecht absolutely had to avoid. Gomis rose completely unmarked to head a cross high into the net after a cleared corner. Brüls, as so often against Anderlecht, dictated play, and Anderlecht had to stay alert to prevent further concrete danger from Beveren. Anderlecht did try to turn the tide, but it was slow and sloppy.
Sikan headed wide, while Schenk had to turn away a good effort from Ambros. After Sikan failed to control the ball in the 33rd minute and let a chance slip away, little of note happened. After the break, the picture was basically the same. Anderlecht had the ball, but Beveren held firm with relative ease, thanks in part to goalkeeper Schenk. Whenever an opening did appear, Anderlecht were not quick enough to react in the decisive area. In the 54th minute, for instance, Ambros had a chance, but his move was not sharp enough to finish. Beveren lurked on the counter, and Augustinsson prevented the 2-0 by blocking a shot from Brüls.
In the 66th minute, Schenk pushed a Sikan free kick behind for a corner. Bruno brought on Cvetkovic and N'Diaye five minutes later. Cvetkovic was found a few times, but his aim was not sharp either. In the dying moments, Bertaccini almost set up Nga Kana, but a Beveren leg had other ideas.
