Early red card makes it too difficult

GAMES Anderlecht lost 1-0 to Antwerp and therefore finished fourth. The turning point was the quick exclusion of Miazga after a (little) fault on Lamkel Zé. Anderlecht swallowed an avoidable goal immediately after the break and was unable to turn it around afterwards. It will now play in the 3rd preliminary round of the Conference League.


Despite the fact that it needed a win, Antwerp left the possession of the ball to Anderlecht. Sambi shot was saved by Butez, Verschaeren was just a bit too far to use the rebound. On the other side of the pitch, we got a déjà-vu. Cobbaut messed with the ball and Mbokani took advantage, just like in the recent home game. This time, however, no goal, Miazga returned just in time to fend off Lamkel Zé's shot. But after thirteen minutes, the ball jumped off the American's thigh. Lamkel Zé sprinted to goal and Miazga slightly pulled the striker's shirt. Boucaut immediately gave red, although Zé still had some meters to go to goal. Strictly judged, but Miazga should have known better. Verschaeren had to go to the side for the young Debast who would come in fine.

Antwerp now claimed possession of the ball, but at first could not do much with it. Just after half an hour, Anderlecht got its biggest chance of the match. On a corner, Murillo got the ball at the far post, but the Panamanian hit the side net. In the last ten minutes, Antwerp increased the pressure. Verstraete shot to goal, De Laet headed against the crossbar and Verbruggen had to be on his toes to avoid an own goal by Cobbaut. A difficult assignment awaited the Purple & White after the break.

The assignment became even more difficult when Lamkel Zé opened the score soon after the break. The Cameroonian jumped higher than Murillo and Verbruggen was badly lined up (behind his line) when he tried to get the placed header out of goal. Anderlecht could in no way cause danger with one man less. Antwerp itself seemed to be satisfied with the 1-0 score and took no risks. Verbruggen saved a crossed shot from Gerkens, just after the hour.

About ten minutes before the end, Kompany did everything in his power by bringing in Trebel, Dauda and Bruun Larsen. Debast neutralized a counterattack with a sharp tackle, immediately afterwards Nmecha shot a meter wide. Meanwhile, the clock ticked further in favor of the Great Old. Seck prevented Mykhailichenko from having another header chance. In the added time, Bruun Larsen kicked a free kick over goal, but Anderlecht didn't get any further. Debast even had to keep Mbokani from the 2-0.

After the quick red card, the job turned out to be too tough for the Purple & White, although it swallowed a very avoidable goal. With one man less, the offensive could rarely make a fist, although we already had the impression that the barrel was getting emptier with every game in the play-offs. Anderlecht must therefore be satisfied with a ticket for the 3rd qualifying round of the Conference League (mid-August). After that, a play-off awaits before the group stage is reached. European football until New Year therefore seems a long way off. Although we wonder whether Anderlecht is ready to play so many matches in a short time, especially given the uncertain situation of some important players.

The Champions play-offs were therefore not a success for Anderlecht, but was not achieving those play-offs the best achievement of the season at all?

Score: 1-0
Goal(s): 1-0 Lamkel Zé (48 ')

Antwerp: Butez, De Laet, Seck, Le Marchand (De Pauw 68 '), Verstraete, Batubinsika, Buta, Hongla, Gerkens (Gelin 91'), Lamkel Zé, Mbokani
RSC Anderlecht: Verbruggen, Murillo, Miazga, Cobbaut (Trebel 77 '), Mykhailichenko, Sambi Lokonga, Cullen (Dauda 77'), Verschaeren (Debast 16 '), Amuzu (Bruun Larsen 77'), Ait El Hadj (Ashimeru 60 ' ), Nmecha.

Yellow: Kompany (14 '), Sambi Lokonga (57'), Verstraete (59 '), Lamkel Zé (91'), Seck (92 ')
Red: Miazga (12 ')

Referee: Alexandre Boucaut
Stadium: Bosuilstadion