GAMES Despite the hope that had been pinned on a positive result, Anderlecht were beaten 3-0 without offering much resistance at Union. The revamped purple-and-white side were overpowered before the break in terms of physicality and intensity. Union scored twice in the closing stages of the first half. Anderlecht did create a few chances, but it was Union who struck again in the final stages of the match.
Before kick-off, this had been billed as Anderlecht's first real test of the season, and it has become clear that the squad still needs extra reinforcements, especially with the added burden of European fixtures. Union may not be a fair benchmark, but there was little to be excited about against La Louvière and Beveren either. It is still very early in the season, but Anderlecht have already dropped six points. Even though Union have now sold away almost half a team, the machine clicked into gear again, just as it has in recent seasons against Anderlecht, who again had no answer. Purple-and-white found few solutions in possession, although they did have a fine chance to score through Maamar at 0-0.
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Continue reading Anderlecht now face an important week with matches against Kortrijk and Genk, in which they can hardly afford to drop points. Anderlecht started the game in good spirits. They also had the first big chance through Maamar, but finishing remains a major issue for the Moroccan winger. Union, however, quickly took control. They kept finding the free man, and Maamar in particular had his hands full with Guilherme. Coosemans denied Zeneli at the last moment. In terms of physicality and intensity, Anderlecht were outclassed, and in possession they found no solutions. With Kana and Llansana together in midfield, it is very difficult to create anything in possession against stronger opposition.
In the 37th minute, Zeneli headed Union ahead from a tight angle at the far post. The home side then doubled their lead in stoppage time with a bit of luck, when a Biondic effort deflected off Pétrot. In the closing stages of the first half, Sylla had to intervene when Koffi slipped past the ball. Anderlecht needed to go in search of 2-1 under these difficult circumstances, but Union remained comfortable, even if they did seem to shift down a gear. In the 63rd minute, Cvetkovic should have played the unmarked Ambros in. Union then created another chance through Guilherme. Both moves could easily have resulted in a goal. The verdict became even harsher for Anderlecht when Florucs made it 3-0 with 20 minutes remaining after Coosemans failed to deal with the effort. In added time, Cvetkovic still had a gilt-edged chance to make it 2-1, but the Serb fired over.
