Sporting Anderlecht, 2nd in the Pro League, got the better of Eupen, 15th, for the 28th day of the championship (1-0). For the Pandas, this sixth consecutive defeat puts an end to hopes of escaping the play-downs.
At least one point, and preferably three. This is what we had to hope for this Sunday on the Eupenois side before facing Anderlecht. With seven points behind Charleroi (13th), first non-relegation, the German speakers had to a minima snatch the division at Lotto Park to maintain a slim chance of not competing in the play-downs.
An arduous task for a team which had five consecutive defeats… without scoring, facing a confident Mauves following their breathtaking victory in Bruges last Sunday. Brian Riemer, deprived of Jan Vertonghensuspended, hoped for his part to put Sporting eight points behind Union Saint-Gilloise (68 points), the authoritarian leader of the championship.
After a beautiful tribute to Kristoffer Olssonthe ex-median of the Mauves victim of an acute brain illness, it only took seven minutes to Thorgan Hazard to launch Anderlecht. The Red Devil was at the conclusion of a nice collective counter-attack and deceived Gabriel Slonina (9e, 1-0).
While we might fear the worst for Eupen following this missed start to the match, the match was balanced, despite another huge opportunity for Anders Dreyer once morest Slonina (11th). The Mauves were decreasing in intensity, and Eupen took the opportunity to poke his nose at the window. Miloš Pantovićwith a header, placed above the Brussels goal (35th).
No doubt shaken by Brian Riemer in the locker room, Anderlecht began the second act with more movement. But Renaud Emond sent a shiver through the bays by hitting the bar Kasper Schmeichel.
Unable to make the break, Sporting was not unduly worried by Eupen and retained its meager advantage until the end of the match. Three new points which allow the Mauves to maintain their hellish pace (60 points, 2nd). But the level will have to increase in view of the next deadlines… On the Eupen side, maintenance will have to be ensured during the play-downs.