Brussels, (Brussels Morning)- RSC Anderlecht has qualified for the group stage of the Conference League on Thursday evening after penalties for its own people against Young Boys Bern, in its second match of the fourth and final preliminary round. Just like Union Sint-Gillis and AA Gent, they know their opponents on Friday.
Just before half an hour everything could be redone after the 0-1 bonus from the first leg. Elia Meschack (26.), a few years ago on trial at Anderlecht, set up a one-two on his right flank and, after a rush, worked from a sharp angle through Wesley Hoedt’s leg.
In the second half, the team from Brussels failed to force an opening in a closed game. Sebastiano Esposito, who came between the lines at halftime, let the Lotto Park burst at the seams in the final minutes with the equaliser, but he clearly started from offside.
After 20 minutes into extra time, Benito Raman had the goal of qualifying close, but his shot hit the post.
In the all-deciding penalty series, Mario Stroeykens first missed on behalf of Anderlecht. However, Young Boys failed on three consecutive attempts, allowing the home side to finally prepare for a European group stage.
Visiting coach Raphael Wicky was especially disappointed with the missed opportunities in the first game. “We weren’t efficient enough at home,” Wicky said. “We knew we wouldn’t go for goal five times alone, but we had the chances. We had a lot of good moments when we didn’t score. That’s what we missed. After such a performance, losing on penalties, I can’t blame my team. It’s a lottery.”
Draw
Union and AA Gent also go to the group stage. Union enters the group stage of the Europa League after it fell in the third and penultimate preliminary round of the Champions League against Scottish Rangers, which qualified for the group stage of the Championship by dealing with PSV in the last preliminary round. The inhabitants of Brussels belong to pot 4.
The draw for the Europa League starts at 1 p.m. At 2.30 pm the teams for the Conference League go into the drum.
Anderlecht were able to qualify for the group stage of a European tournament for the first time since the 2018-19 season. “That is important for Anderlecht,” says Mazzu. “It’s going to give the club and supporters a new boost. I thank them because they were extraordinary today. This qualification should give my players a lot of experience.”
Mazzu knows that his assignment to succeed a club icon like Vincent Kompany is “and will be difficult”. “If we’re here today, it’s also thanks to Vincent’s work,” says Mazzu. “I want to dedicate qualifying to him, because three years of in-depth work have been done and today I may benefit a little from that. The assignment will remain difficult until the end of the season.”
