Anderlecht started their European campaign with a disappointing defeat to Olympique Lyon. The 2-1 home loss in the Europa League league phase followed a first half in which Vitor Bruno's side showed too much respect and failed to execute their game plan.
The early goals decided the contest. Lyon took the lead after just eight minutes via a deflected cross and doubled their advantage in the 22nd minute from another deflected effort. Anderlecht only came to life after the break, with Mihajlo Cvetkovic scoring his fourth European goal of the season in the 61st minute. It wasn't enough to salvage a point.
Frustration
Coach Vitor Bruno was clear about the Jekyll and Hyde performance. "In the second half I saw a completely different team than in the first. I am disappointed about that," said the manager. He felt a draw would have been deserved and that the team was too timid with their planned pressure in the opening period. Goalkeeper Colin Coosemans echoed the sentiment. "That early goal against us was the worst possible scenario and then the 0-2 also came from a deflected ball," he reacted. Coosemans briefly lost sight of the first shot and stated Anderlecht simply weren't in the game at that moment.
Rotation
Bruno had made six changes from the 1-0 win at KV Mechelen, with Amane making his debut and Aasgaard starting for the first time. Coosemans defended the rotation policy, citing the squad's sufficient quality and the heavy minute load for players in a busy schedule. The issues, he said, were not with the changes but with the execution of agreements in the first half. Goalscorer Cvetkovic said the team changed their mentality after the break and created enough chances for an equaliser. "We played very well in the second half, but we didn't show that quality from the first minute," he explained. The Serb played down his own European scoring form, saying he is not 'mister Europe' and just does his job.
The defeat represents a missed opportunity in the Europa League and follows inconsistent domestic form. Anderlecht currently sit seventh in the Jupiler Pro League with ten points from six games. Their recent form is LWDWL, leaving them six points behind leaders Union St. Gilloise. The team has scored four goals and conceded five. Supporters can check the full standings and upcoming schedule in the fixtures. The next chance for redemption comes quickly, with a home match against fifth-placed Zulte Waregem on Saturday, 19 September. The squad will be without the long-term injured Giulian Biancone and Lucas Hey, whose status can be followed on the injuries page.
This story first appeared at Sporza
Coach Vitor Bruno provided a new explanation for his choice of Mihajlo Cvetkovic as the sole striker. "His profile can help us against Lyon," the manager said cryptically beforehand. The Serbian eventually scored the consolation goal in the 61st minute following an assist from Aymen Maamar. Anderlecht, sitting seventh in the Jupiler Pro League with ten points, could not avert the defeat.
