In Kortrijk, Mauves supporters have found themselves a new idol, but they can thank Thorgan Hazard

However, the fans could have chanted Hazard’s name more. Established for the first time in 280 days, the midfielder was quite discreet in the game. Weaned from the ball, he sometimes went very low on the pitch to touch it but that is what characterizes great players. They can make a difference in a single action. With a superb free kick, the winger broke the deadlock in a poorly started situation (62nd, 0-1), for his first goal since March 3, 2024.

It was the first shot on target of the match for the Mauves, which says a lot about the content proposed by David Hubert’s men. Everything is more complicated when an element like Edozie is added to the injured list which includes a creative like Stroeykens and a clinical finisher like Dolberg. This Sunday, those absent were not wrong and on the field, few scored points like Vazquez who did not achieve much except the feat of being reported at 4 offside occasions, including 3 times in the first half.

Outnumbered, Kortrijk had the ball to equalize

In fact, the Courtraisians even led slightly on points, despite Ferri’s suspension, before the post found by Maamar (44th), the only dangerous Anderlecht action in the first period. The 3-4-3 reconstituted for the third time in a row by Hubert, which is not insignificant, this time with the left side N’Diaye switched to the axis to the detriment of Simic, allowed Anderlecht to be stable defensively thanks to a serious Dendoncker but De Neve (15th) and Ambrose (26th) made the Brussels defense shiver.

At the hour mark, Hazard’s goal followed three minutes later by the exclusion of Joao Silva should have allowed Sporting to spend a quiet last half hour. The problem is that we never felt that the Kerels were outnumbered. Dejaegere and Ambrose even had the equalizer ball (88th). That’s what’s worrying. “This is the kind of match that is dangerous. We played maturelytempers Hubert. If you’re too impatient, you can get caught on a counter and fall behind. I know it wasn’t great, but considering Thursday’s grueling match against Antwerpwe can only be happy.”

After taking an option on the Belgian Cup final, Anderlecht ended a series of three consecutive defeats in the league. Enough to end a very good week before another very busy one, between a trip to Plzen and the reception in Mechelen, which he hopes will be just as excellent.