RSC Anderlecht - who have already safeguarded their spot in the round of 32 of the Europa League - took on AEK Athens at the OACA Stadium today, Thursday 1st December 2011. The Purple & White beat the Greek team 1-2 and will take on Lokomotiv Moscow, who beat Sturm Graz 3-1 earlier on, in a fortnight. At stake: first place in group L.

Coach Ariël Jacobs carried through one change in comparison with the starting line-up for Saturday’s game against Essevee. Fernando Canesin Matos was replaced by his fellow countryman Kanu. Also, Jordan Lukaku sat on the bench for the first time during an official match of the first team.

The match could not have started any better for Sporting as they were already ahead 0-1 after four minutes of play. Kanu reached Matias Suarez, who fed the ball to Guillaume Gillet and the native of Liège put the opening goal in. The home team reacted with a shot by Guerreiro, but the midfielder’s attempt hit the side of the net. After some fifteen minutes of play, the visitors were close to scoring a second time, but the home goalie was able to avert the shot.

Halfway through the first half, the 1-1 did go in. Burns crossed and via Juhasz the ball turned up with Sialmas, who put in the equalizer. Sporting reacted via Jovanovic, but they were not able to beat the AEK goalie. The Purple & White, however, kept on putting pressure at the home defence and, just before half-time, Guillaume Gillet was able to score the 1-2. This time he put in a perfect centre by Juhasz with a header. Just before half-time, Suarez almost scored the 1-3, but the Argentinian’s shot was saved by Konstantopoulos.

In the second half, RSC Anderlecht controlled the game, but the team from Brussels had to go on without Behrang Safari after an hour’s worth of play. The Swede received an injury and was replaced by Denis Odoi. The team from Brussels controlled the game, but the home team were more dangerous in the second half. Fortunately the Purple & White were able to count on Silvio Proto who made perfect saves on attempts by substitute Leonardo. At the end of the game Tom De Sutter - who came in for Matias Suarez - was close to scoring the third Purple & White goal, but his back heel hit the post. The score, then, remained the same, as a result of which Sporting are able to look back at five consecutive wins in the Europa League.

The Purple & White are still on top in group L with 15 points out of five matches after this win against AEK. RSCA will take on Lokomotiv Moscow, who are three points behind them, at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium on Wednesday 14th December 2011. Sporting and Lokomotiv will decide who will go into the round of 32 as winner of the group...

Standings group L :
1. RSC Anderlecht (15 points after 5 matches, goal difference : 11)
2. Lokomotiv Moscow (12 points after 5 matches, goal difference : 5)
3. Sturm Graz (3 points after 5 matches, goal difference : -7)
4. AEK Athens (0 points after 5 matches, goal difference -9)