Fabio Cannavaro - An Anderlecht story

Anderlecht arrived in Turin knowing they had to score to have any chance of progression whilst Juventus knew a goalless draw would send them through.

The first half started with Juventus on the front foot as they went searching for that second goal which would surely wrap up the tie for the Italian giants, in the first 30 minutes they registered 14 shots at goal as they lay siege on the Anderlecht defence but Deschacht and Kouyate stood firm though as most of Juve's shots were outside the box, Anderlecht did manage a shot at goal right before the break but it didnt trouble Gianluigi Buffon

it was more of the same in the second half as Juventus continued to press for that killer goal and it did eventually come as rightback Stephen Liechtsteiner took down a perfectly weighted Andrea Pirlo pass on the chest before putting the ball past Japser Cillesson as Turin went into party mode they could see the quarter final moving ever closer. and thats the way the scores would stay as Anderlecht had run out of gas and nerver really posed anymore threats going forward.

despite losing against Juventus we have taken alot of positives from this Champions League campaign as were werent expected to go far at all, hopefully next season we can go even further

April proved to be a good month as we remained undefeated and climbed our way back up the ladder and right into contention for the title. Standard Liege was our first match in April and we held firm to take a 0-0 despite being outplayed for much of the match. 3 wins then followed against Club Brugge, ZuLte Waregem and Genk, the Genk win especially was very important because we have struggled against them all season. April ended with a draw against Mechelen with Aaron Iseke proving to be the hero as he claimed a late draw for us. how important could that goal prove to be?

The Jupiler League is going right down to the wire yet again as 5 points separates the top 4 teams with only one month left. Standard Liege look to be in the box seat though and could take a big step to claiming the title if they beat us in the first match in may. Genk will not be written off though as Jelle Vossen has banged in 28 goals this season and leads the goalscoring charts by 11 goals. much drama to be had here in the final weeks

3 straight wins so far this month has seen us rise to the top of the Jupiler league with only one match remaining, Standard Liege, Club Brugge and Zulte Waregem had no chance as Anderlecht finally clicked into gear knowing the title was in there grasp, all there big names came to the fore to inspire this young but talented side to 3 consecutive victories and on the brink of another league title.

one match remaining, 2 points separates first and second. Genk host Anderlecht in the penultimate match of the season in the title decider. Anderlecht looked down and out for most the season after a sluggish start saw them drop to as low as 7th place midway through the campaign, Genk didnt have the best of starts either as they were flirting with the relegation zone going into November but both teams have fought back well and now both have a chance to win the title on Saturday

Welcome to the Cristal Stadium where Genk host Anderlecht in the final match of the season, it all comes down to this, Genk need to beat Anderlecht to clinch the title whilst Anderlecht only need a draw. We are surely in for some entertaining football today

The kicked off with a fast tempo to it as Genk took the ascendency obviously looking for s goal early and they fired off 3 shots within the first 10 minutes but Cillessen was able to keep calm collect all 3. Genk then had their there first real chance of the game when Vossen was found in plenty of space in box but completely fluffed his lines sending the ball wide of the goal. Anderlecht took the lead on the break though as four quick passes through the middle found Matias Suarez who put a lovely ball onto Hazards foot who showed great composure to lift the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper to put Anderlecht in the lead and on the brink of yet another title. Anderlecht then had to take control of possession and did until halftime but right on the stroke of the break they doubled the lead through Amir Abrashi as his shot flew was just past the post, the keeper well beaten. 0-1 at the break

onto the second half as Genk again started really well and took total control spending most the half camped in the Anderlecht half searching for that equaliser, chance after chance came for Genk to no avail. but just as it looked as Anderlecht would hold on Genk would find an equaliser through that man Jelle Vossen as he seized on an opportunity after a scramble in the box following a Genk corner to rifle home the leveller, GAME ON!!, Fabio Cannavaro looked a nervous figure on the sideline as Genk almost went on to win the match as Vossen again was left alone in the box but this time firing wide, Anderlecht would hold on to become champions of Belgium once again

We did it!! champions of Belgium again despite looking down and out midway through the season, i cannot praise the boys enough for there effort as we claimed the Jupiler League by two points ahead of Genk

Jelle Vossen took out the Golden boot by some margin whilst also taking out the player of the year award aswell. Silvio Proto managed to come 4th in the clean sheet race despite only playing half a season