On Sunday evening, Anderlecht celebrated another victory, securing three points at Stayen against STVV, largely thanks to the remarkable performance of Kasper Dolberg. The Danish forward scored both goals, leading his team to a solid 2-0 win. This match not only solidified Anderlecht’s position but also highlighted STVV’s struggles to capitalize on their scoring opportunities.
The home team, STVV, started the match showing some threats, with Ito creating chances early on. Despite their intent, it was Anderlecht who struck first. Around the half-hour mark, Francis Amuzu delivered an excellent cross to the far post, setting up Dolberg, who calmly slotted the ball home for the opening goal. “Ciske never disappointed,” noted one observer, but it was particularly Dolberg who shone as the game unfolded.
While STVV pressed for the equalizer, they failed to find the back of the net, missing several clear opportunities. It was as if each missed chance drew more frustration from the home crowd. Just moments after Dolberg’s goal, another dangerous chance came but was squandered when Amuzu, one-on-one with STVV’s goalkeeper Kokubo, failed to maintain composure.
On the other end, Colin Coosemans, Anderlecht’s goalkeeper, proved his mettle with string of key saves, especially against STVV’s Patris and Ferrari, who both came close to scoring the equalizer. Coosemans’ performance was certainly pivotal, and it came as no surprise when he earned his ninth clean sheet of the season.
After halftime, the momentum seemed to shift slightly back to STVV, but the breakthrough they sought would still be elusive. Their persistence was soon met with disaster—a defensive error led to Dolberg being fouled inside the penalty area, earning Anderlecht a penalty. Dolberg stepped up to take the penalty, coolly converting it to push Anderlecht’s lead to 2-0.
Consequently, the match turned on its head when Zanka was issued a red card for disturbing the flow of play, making things difficult for Anderlecht with just 20 minutes left. Many observers, including their coach David Hubert, were baffled by the decision, believing Zanka had played the ball and calling the decision “strange.”
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Anderlecht held firm against STVV’s pressure, effectively managing the closing stages of the match. While STVV attempted to capitalize on their greater possession, their finishing continued to betray them. Each attempt seemed more desperate than the last as the clock ticked down.
Reflecting on the match, Anderlecht coach David Hubert expressed satisfaction with his team’s effort. “Ik ben absoluut een tevreden trainer,” he stated, proud of the resilience shown, especially following their demanding match earlier against Slavia Prague. Hubert, whose side is now just five points away from league leaders Racing Genk, believes this victory boosts team morale as they prepare for upcoming fixtures.
On the flip side, STVV coach Felice Mazzu lamented his team’s inefficiency, stating, “Op dit moment hebben we het helaas moeilijk om te scoren.” His frustration echoed the sentiment of many fans who’d seen their team struggle to convert chances throughout the match. The absence of Bertaccini due to suspension was particularly felt, and it was clear STVV needs to revisit their attacking strategies.
Statistically, Anderlecht’s victory marked their 11th match without defeat across all competitions, showcasing their current form. Conversely, STVV’s defeat halted their unbeaten home record, which had lasted since their first home game against Charleroi this season. Since November 2018, STVV has failed to overcome Anderlecht, with the latter winning ten out of their last eleven encounters.
After the match, Hubert remarked on the insatiable hunger his players have to close the gap on league leaders. “De honger is nog groot om omhoog te kijken,” he concluded, signaling his ambitions for the league’s latter stages.
The outcome of the match leaves Anderlecht poised to challenge for the top spots as they gear up for valuable fixtures against their rivals. Meanwhile, STVV will need to introspect and regroup after another costly defeat, marked by missed opportunities and lapses in concentration.
