Anderlecht Overcome Stubborn Ludogorets to Keep Perfect Europa League Record

Anderlecht continued their impressive Europa League run with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Ludogorets at home.

Despite the visitors playing a man down for over an hour, Anderlecht struggled to break through the Bulgarian defence. It took substitute Samuel Edozie’s late goal to unlock Ludogorets’ resilience, with Anders Dreyer sealing the win in extra time.

After an intense start to the match, Anderlecht almost fell behind in the opening minutes as Dinis Almeida’s attempt narrowly missed the target. Ludogorets’ intent was clear, with Caio Vidal’s dangerous elbow on Tristan Degreef leading to a VAR-reviewed red card in the first half-hour, leaving Ludogorets one man short.

While Anderlecht’s numerical advantage promised goals, the first half yielded few clear-cut chances. Ludogorets, in their frustration, picked up multiple yellow cards, committing four fouls as they fought to contain Anderlecht’s attack. Despite their efforts, Anderlecht’s players struggled to find rhythm against a determined and defensive Ludogorets.

Key Moment Saves Anderlecht as VAR Rules Out Equaliser

The breakthrough finally came in the 67th minute when Edozie, off the bench, pounced on a loose ball to put Anderlecht ahead. Ludogorets nearly equalised in stoppage time, but VAR ruled the attempt offside, sparing Anderlecht from a nervous ending. Dreyer added a second goal moments later, securing Anderlecht’s third straight win.

With 9 points from their opening three games, Anderlecht join Lazio and Tottenham as top-ranked sides in their group. The win also marks Anderlecht’s 200th European victory, a significant milestone in the club’s history.

9/9. 🟣⚪ #ANDLUD #UEL pic.twitter.com/ee78HuNKrO

— RSC Anderlecht (@rscanderlecht) October 24, 2024

Coach Hubert and Players Reflect on “Important Lesson” Learned

Anderlecht manager David Hubert expressed satisfaction with the result but was cautious in his post-match comments. “I’m pleased with the points but less so with how the game developed. Breaking down a team reduced to ten players proved challenging,” Hubert noted. Midfielder Thomas Foket echoed this sentiment, remarking, “They know how to defend; it wasn’t easy to stay patient and calm.”

Mats Rits admitted the team’s lapse after the opening goal. “We lost focus and allowed them into the game instead of pressing harder,” he said. Hubert was quick to add, “We were too passive, which can lead to trouble, especially against ten men.”

Reflecting on the narrow offside decision that disallowed Ludogorets’ late equaliser, Hubert advised caution going forward. “This game should remind us of the dangers of becoming lax. Luckily, we got away with it, but we must keep our intensity.”

With a flawless record, Anderlecht look forward to their next match, now sitting comfortably at the top of their Europa League group.

Site Opinion

Anderlecht’s 2-0 win against Ludogorets illustrates both the team’s European potential and the risks associated with overconfidence. Despite a numerical advantage, Anderlecht took nearly an hour to break down Ludogorets’ determined defence, highlighting a need for greater precision and assertiveness. Samuel Edozie’s opening goal was critical, showing the importance of depth and late-game substitutes in European competitions.

From a strategic standpoint, Anderlecht should see this match as a learning opportunity. Maintaining intensity and capitalising on advantages are key at this level, where lapses can be costly. Ludogorets almost exploited Anderlecht’s passivity, showing that even the smallest missteps can shift a game’s momentum. If Anderlecht aspires to progress further, maintaining a relentless approach will be essential as they face tougher opponents in the knockout stages.