Did David Hubert necessarily want to exchange applause for Thorgan Hazard? The coach defended himself about this afterwards, but Hein Vanhaezebrouck did not understand the substitution.
RSC Anderlecht ended the 2024 calendar year with a disappointing loss against FCV Dender. The Purple & White lost 2-3 at home and thus took 0 out of 6 in the last two games. Coach David Hubert’s substitutions were under a magnifying glass, especially the replacement of Yari Verschaeren in the second half.
Anderlecht started the match strongly and led 2-1 at half time. Verschaeren, who played an excellent game, was a determining factor. He scored a great goal and kept Dender under constant pressure. Yet Hubert decided to replace him after an hour of play for Thorgan Hazard, who had only just returned from eight months of injury.
Hein Vanhaezebrouck sharply criticized that choice. “Verschaeren was decisive and good, and Dender had no control over him. Changing him for Hazard at 2-1 was a risk,” Vanhaezebrouck said DAZN. “You can’t blame Hazard, but he is not yet at the level to let Anderlecht play in a difficult match.”
The consequences of the substitutions were clear. After the double substitution, in which Killian Sardella also entered the field, Anderlecht lost control of the match. Dender took full advantage and scored twice more, meaning the visitors went home with the full spoils.
David Hubert, who looked a bit dejected for the first time, defended his choice. “Why? Because Thorgan was ready to play 30 minutes. We tried to change the dynamic of the match. Thorgan can do that with his intensity. The plan was to change the trend of the match.”
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