Anderlecht secured a significant victory over Union Saint-Gilloise in the Belgian Pro League. The match, played on Sunday 30th August, ended in a 3-2 win for the Brussels-based club.
This win arrives at a critical juncture for RSC Anderlecht. The club currently sits eleventh in the standings with just three points from three matches. Their recent form is LLW, having scored two goals and conceded five this season. That leaves them nine points behind leaders Charleroi in the title race.
Anderlecht started the match in a 4-4-2 formation under manager Vítor Bruno. Union Saint-Gilloise, led by David Hubert, opted for a more offensive 3-4-3 setup. Despite Anderlecht enjoying more possession (54.2% to 45.8%), Union SG was more threatening in front of goal. The home side took fifteen shots, seven of which were on target. Anderlecht managed twelve attempts, with only two on target.
The Anderlecht defence and goalkeeper were key. They made four saves, compared to two from the Union SG keeper. Vítor Bruno's side won seventeen of their twenty-seven tackles and made twenty-nine clearances. Both teams received two yellow cards in a physical contest that saw fourteen fouls by Anderlecht and eleven by Union SG.
The numbers paint a mixed picture. Anderlecht dominated possession and was stronger in the tackle. But Union SG created more clear-cut chances, evidenced by their higher number of shots on target and corners (four to three). Anderlecht's efficiency in front of goal ultimately made the difference.
This victory follows a fluctuating recent history between the two clubs. Earlier this year, on 26th April, Anderlecht also won 3-2 in the league. Union SG got revenge on 24th May with a 3-1 victory. In the Cup on 14th May, Union SG was also stronger, winning 3-1.
The three points are vital for morale and their league position. Anderlecht must maintain this positive momentum to close the gap to the top. The next test is already on the horizon. They play their next fixture at home against Kortrijk on 3rd September. Kortrijk currently sits eighteenth, presenting an opportunity to collect points. Fans can find the schedule for this clash and other upcoming matches on our fixtures page.
Manager Vítor Bruno said afterwards: "Manager: Vítor Bruno." His counterpart David Hubert simply confirmed his role: "Manager: David Hubert." Both coaches would have been satisfied with the effort, but only Bruno left with all the spoils.
To improve their league position structurally, Anderlecht must find defensive stability. Conceding five goals in three games is a concern. The composition of the team and any injuries are key factors here, information supporters can follow via our squad and injuries overviews. The home match against Kortrijk kicks off at 20:45.
