Anderlecht took too long to open the score on the RFS pitch… and were fooled at the end of the match with a long ball and a self-goal. The Mauves lose their first points in Europe.
RSC Anderlecht played this Thursday the most affordable match on paper of their Europa League campaign, namely a trip to Riga to challenge the newly crowned national champion, RFS. But in the old-fashioned charm of the Daugavas Stadions (where RFS does not play in the championship), the Mauves let themselves fall asleep.
We didn’t really know what to expect from RFS, but the Latvians sent a warning shot directly: Savalnieks took Moussa Ndiaye’s back and went to find his number 9, Janis Ikaunieks, who deceived Coosemans… but saw his goal canceled for offside (5th).
Kasper Dolberg’s canceled goal
The RFS highlight continued for a few minutes with incursions into the rectangle and interesting combinations, until Anderlecht finally got their foot on the ball. Ndiaye, however, multiplies the approximations, in particular a full axis pass which costs nothing. On a dazzling counter led by Amuzu, Tristan Degreef finally intelligently found Dolberg who punctuated (21st)… but the Dane had made a mistake in his race.
The match takes place at a false rhythm and in a cozy atmosphere, even if a Latvian kop adds a little atmosphere… and a few “come on you Mauves” sound discreetly from Brussels supporters who have come incognito or almost. RFS, however, unlike Ludogorets or Ferencvaros, does not break the game, sometimes even trying to exit a little too cleanly.
The Latvians even finished the first period very well by obtaining several corners: Coosemans had to make a fabulous save at point blank range (39th) and we could say that for a few minutes, it was Anderlecht who… s’R l’FS. The best Mauve is probably Amuzu, who puts Njie in great difficulty on his flank.
Coosemans saves Anderlecht several times
Upon returning from the locker room, the RSCA tried to immediately lay siege to the opposing goal… and RFS took advantage of counter boulevards: Cédric Kouadio was found in the middle but lost his duel with Colin Coosemans (49th). The same Kouadio then gets the better of Zanka but Ikaunieks is offside (51st).
At the hour mark, David Hubert opted for a triple change with the entries of Vazquez, Stroeykens and Edozie for Dolberg, Degreef and Amuzu. Young Tristan Degreef could have been credited with an assist, and is not one of the players to blame.
Little by little, we feel that the last twenty minutes are going to be very hard for RFS: Anders Dreyer is found at the penalty spot but inexplicably sends over (69th), and dangerous situations multiply… even if the former -Ostendais Fabrice Ondoa doesn’t have much to do yet.
The wonder of Stroeykens… for nothing
As is often the case in this type of meeting, it was ultimately a stroke of genius that got the RSCA out of its rut: it was signed Mario Stroeykenswho sends a wonderful strike curling into the opposing window (85th, 0-1). We say to ourselves that RFS cannot come back from such a late blow, but the Latvians have courage to spare.
The break will not fall, and on yet another long ball behind the back of, this time, Thomas Foket, Njiki sends a cross: it messes up, Coosemans makes another reflex save… but Moussa N’diaye ends up putting the ball in his own nets (90th+4, 1-1). Mass blow: the RSCA stupidly loses its first European points. Nothing dramatic in absolute terms, but an evening to forget as quickly as possible!
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