Antwerp lost 1-3 to Basaksehir on Thursday night in the Conference League play-off return. The Antwerpers, who needed a victory following the draw in the first leg (1-1), therefore see their European season end prematurely. The good start to the game was abruptly interrupted for Antwerp who seemed to be taking control: Pacho lost his duel with former Anderlecht resident Okaka, which allowed Özcan to send the ball from close range into the ceiling of the defended goal by Butez (0-1, 8th). As the atmosphere kicked up a notch, the action on the pitch then died down for half an hour.
Shortly before the break, Antwerp and Frey created several opportunities to equalise. The Swiss striker put Babacan to work with a very powerful attempt (38′), before Ekkelenkamp sent a half-volley over the Turkish goal from the left side (43′). A last shot too high from Frey following a balancing act in the box also ended over the bar (45th).
Returning from the locker room, Antwerp continued their good momentum to equalize. Babacan, too loose, committed the fault on Ekkelenkamp who had come to press him in his area. Michael Frey was responsible for converting the penalty with composure, sending the ball precisely into the lower right corner (1-1, 56th).
While they thought they were reviving, the Antwerpers had to remobilise, when Chouiar played De Laet on the left side to drop an ideal cross on the head of Stefano Okaka, who crossed in the back of the net (1- 2, 58e). The fifth quarter of an hour however proved to be poor in opportunities for Antwerp, to whom the rise of Janssen in place of Frey did not benefit. The coup de grace came at the end of the meeting from the head of Aleksic, on receiving a distant free kick from Lima (1-3, 84th).
Only Gantoise and Anderlecht will therefore represent Belgium in the Conference League this season, following the elimination of Antwerp. Union Saint-Gilloise will play in the Europa League and FC Bruges in the Champions League.
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