GAMES Anderlecht recorded a deserved 2-0 victory over Red Bull Salzburg. After a strong first half, the purple and white side led by only one goal, thanks to a fine free kick from Augustinsson. After the break, however, Anderlecht could not reproduce any of that good work. Salzburg threatened twice, but in the closing stages Winkler finished off a counterattack to secure the win, leaving Anderlecht on six points in the Europa League.
We saw a very enjoyable first half in which Anderlecht dominated after the opening five minutes. Coosemans misjudged a corner early on, but that was as dangerous as the young Salzburg side managed before the break. Anderlecht, by contrast, were capable of much more. At times they combined well and moved the ball with plenty of fluidity. An effort from Cvetkovic was blocked and Biancone tested the goalkeeper from distance. After 20 minutes, Anderlecht took a deserved lead. Augustinsson curled a superb free kick into the net.
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Continue reading The Mauves had more chances, especially through Cvetkovic. After a fine move, he was picked out by Sikan, but the forward could not get a clean shot away and in the closing stages of the first half he mistimed his effort and sent it over the ball. The Serb has been missing too many chances lately, which meant Anderlecht went into the interval leading by only 1-0.
After the restart, Salzburg came forward more and Anderlecht suddenly played a great deal less fluently. It did not seem to be due to a drop in Red Bull energy from the Austrians, but rather to Anderlecht, who seemed to have already forgotten the first half altogether. The combinations had disappeared and the purple and white could no longer create danger. Onia Seke also had to leave the pitch injured. After Tabakovic had headed narrowly over, Winkler seemed to have made it 2-0 after a fine move from Cvetkovic, who chipped the ball over the goalkeeper, but Maamar's cross had already crossed the line.
The Austrians had one more chance, but Coosemans came to the rescue with a save using his head. In the closing stages, Anderlecht finally managed to break away dangerously a few times. Bentayeb and Antman, however, wasted the big chances. In the 89th minute, Winkler was sent through on goal and the German kept his composure. He guided Anderlecht to a deserved and comfortable 2-0 win. Anderlecht thus keep their chances of qualification for the next round alive. On 26 November, Anderlecht travel to OFI Crete.
