GAMES Anderlecht drew 1-1 away at Club Brugge. The Mauvesside defended in numbers and needed just one chance to score. After the break, Cvetkovic struck to cancel out Vanaken's opener. Brugge still managed to threaten a few more times, but not enough to send the Mauveshome empty-handed.
There was a brief scare for Brugge in the second minute when Onia Seke escaped from Sabbe, but he could not finish. Unfortunately, that turned out to be the best Anderlecht would show before half-time. Brugge took control of the match emphatically and enjoyed the upper hand with a few attempts, but it took them 25 minutes to fashion a real chance. Forbs tried his luck with a volley, but Coosemans got down well to keep it out. Defensively, Anderlecht kept things under control, but it never managed to break out. In possession, the Mauves seemed unsure what to do and could therefore string together no meaningful attacks. Onia Seke was mostly preoccupied with Forbs, while Cvetkovic and Sikan were largely reduced to defensive duties. The second balls were also almost always Brugge's.
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Continue reading As a first half short on chances seemed to be heading for 0-0, Vanaken slipped away and positioned himself perfectly to head a cross into the net. Coosemans could perhaps have done better there, although the goalkeeper did keep Forbs from making it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time. So there was certainly no shortage of effort, but Anderlecht contributed nothing in footballing terms and after the break it had to try to shift the momentum, or rely on that one chance that might come along.
Although Brugge remained dominant after the restart, Anderlecht nevertheless managed shortly before the hour mark to exploit the one-on-one situation at the back for Brugge. Coosemans launched Cvetkovic, who outmuscled Mechele and, after a run towards goal, slotted the 1-1 past Sommer. Brugge failed to respond to the equaliser until the 78th minute, when Vanaken headed half a metre wide. Not long after, Siquet also went close with a low shot that struck the outside of the post. But that was as far as Brugge got, allowing Anderlecht to take a fine point back from West Flanders. In footballing terms, this was not a high-quality performance from Anderlecht, but a draw was the absolute maximum purple-and-white could have hoped for today. After the international break, Anderlecht will face OHL.
