The struggle for the title is not over yet, thanks to a 1-0 home victory over Club Brugge on the third matchday of Play-Off I in a swirling Constant Vanden Stock Stadium. Lukasz Teodorczyk took the three golden points against the leader with a header, as a result of which the Purple & White are now only three points behind on Brugge in the ranking.
Coach Hein Vanhaezebrouck was able to count on Adrien Trebel again after two matchdays’ suspension, the Frenchman returned to midfield. Uros Spajic was not ready in time for the top match, Josué Sá took his place in the starting line-up. The visitors were dangerous via Diaby at the beginning, but his shot hit the crossbar. Except for this warning, the Purple & White were the team to take control, Pieter Gerkens threatened, and on the following corner, Sá hit the Russian goalie with a header. Lukasz Teodorczyk and Lazar Markovic pushed through regularly as well, Gabulov saved. After a pleasant first half, which was coloured Purple & White, the 0-0 score remained on the board.
Early on in the second half, Lukasz Teodorczyk heated up the Astridpark. The Polish striker scored the 1-0 after a good free kick by Adrien Trebel. The crowd turned up the heat as well and watched the young Alexis Saelemaekers starting up a rush, but being stopped by Denswil. On the other side, a corner by the visitors required a save by Sels. Fifteen minutes before the end, substitute Silvère Ganvoula almost doubled the lead with his first touch of the ball, but the Congolese hit the post on a centre by Gerkens. In minute 82, Diaby seemed to be turning the game around by outmanoeuvring Sels and putting in the equalizer, but referee Vertenten rightfully disallowed the goal because of offside, after intervention by the video ref. The visitors tried to turn the tide, but the Purple & White did not budge, and extended the long streak without any losses. For RSCA, crucial away matches to Standard (Wednesday 18 April) and KRC Genk (Saturday 21 April) will follow.
RSCA : Matz Sels, Alexis Saelemaekers (79' Abdoul Karim Danté), Leander Dendoncker, Josué Sá, Ivan Obradovic, Sven Kums, Adrien Trebel, Pieter Gerkens, Kenny Saief, Lazar Markovic (64' Ryota Morioka), Lukasz Teodorczyk (74' Silvère Ganvoula)
Goal : 52' Teodorczyk (1-0)
