The result

Anderlecht were knocked out of the Belgian Cup on Sunday, 18 October, losing 2-1 at Beerschot VA in the round of 16. Beerschot, leaders of the Challenger Pro League, the second tier, were the sharper side for long spells. Tunisian forward Anas Haj Mohamed scored both goals, the first in the 22nd minute, and Adriano Bertaccini pulled one back late from the bench. The defeat was Anderlecht's second in a row, following a 1-0 loss at Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League earlier in the week. Fifth in the Pro League, the Brussels club now have a 0/6 start in the Europa League.

How the match turned

Beerschot started brightly, with Arnold Vula coming close to scoring after just 45 seconds before Justin Heekeren, who was standing in for Colin Coosemans, made the save. About twenty minutes later Haj Mohamed scored from a corner. Anderlecht had their own chances, hitting the post and facing goalkeeper William Popp, but were booed off at half-time. After the break Anderlecht pressed while Beerschot faded, until Maamar, already booked in the first half, pushed Haj Mohamed to the ground with both arms and was shown a second yellow card around the hour mark. Haj Mohamed made it 2-0 soon after, and Bertaccini's goal from the bench in the 85th minute was not enough. Supporters who had travelled to Antwerp jeered the players and chanted abuse as they walked toward the dressing rooms.

Coach and captain react

Bruno told reporters that the rotation of his team was not the main reason for the defeat, pointing instead to European fatigue, since his players had less than 72 hours to recover after Zagreb. He said Anderlecht had not deserved to lose, but he refused to use fatigue as an excuse. He also mused that he might give Bertaccini more playing time, and rejected talk of a crisis.

“Each game is crucial at Anderlecht. We have to try to win again next week.”

Centre-back Léo Pétrot, who captained the side in Coosemans' absence, admitted the squad had been frustrated. He pointed to the number of matches coming quickly and said the team had to switch focus at once.

“It is hard to find the words, but it is a huge disappointment.”

Pressure on the club

Several Belgian papers used the word crisis, though they differed on how close the club was to one. Le Soir noted that Anderlecht had reached the Europa League league phase only after three qualifying rounds, and that the club had already lost points in the league and suffered a defeat to Lyon earlier this season. Bruno, who took over in June, had said the side should not be judged on one result. Anderlecht are six points behind Gent, the Pro League leaders, who were themselves knocked out of the Cup on penalties by Rochefort.

Next fixtures

Anderlecht's next match is an away trip to Jagiellonia Białystok in Poland, the third matchday of the Europa League league phase, on Thursday, 22 October. After that the club travels to Gent. Pétrot said the players needed to take points quickly to reach their goals this season.