Anderlecht won against Antwerp, but could have taken an even more consistent lead before the return match in this semi-final. The Mauves, however, will be content with it.
What if it was already one of the matches of the year for RSC Anderlecht? After a 0/12 against the two biggest candidates for the title, the Mauves must face the facts: the Cup is the most likely title this season, and this semi-final against Antwerp is therefore crucial.
We feel it: the tension is palpable, and the duo Simic-Adryelson (surprise holder, proof of the defensive distress of the RSCA) is warned in the 4th minute following a scuffle with the rogue Janssen. But Samuel Edozie, perhaps heated by the presence of Huerta on the bench, is untenable: his crosses set fire, his shot deflected by Lammens hits the post (12th).
It was then Degreef, also in great form, who carried out a crazy sequence and found the goal (16th). Antwerp tries to react: Kerk leads the attacks, serves Janssen who forces Coosemans into an unorthodox save (27th). On a counter, finally, Anderlecht transformed the try: Edozie offered himself a tumble and declared Tristan Degreefwho is rewarded for his good start to the match (30th, 1-0).
The match will go in all directions with Antwerp dangerous from a corner, Coosemans clearing on his line (35th), but also a little lost on the counter against a very leggy Maamar and Degreef. The last opportunity of the first period, however, is Antwerp’s: a loss of ball offers a counter to Kerk who launches Janssen, in front of whom Coosemans comes out well (40th).
A victory but regrets for Anderlecht?
Despite the victory, which takes shape when we understand that Antwerp is having a very bad evening, the RSCA will have regrets: after two posts already in the first period, Jan-Carlo Simic will also find the amount from a corner (63rd).
After difficult weeks, Anderlecht will at least have the merit of having played a very solid match, notably in the hands of Degreef and even “ket” Maamar – but the skeptics will not have been convinced by a catastrophic Luis Vazquez who will replace Keisuke Goto for his very first minutes in team A. The score will no longer change at the end of a weak second half, but which leaves Sporting in a position of strength before the return match.
