Matt Miazga all games PBP thread

Starts for RSC Anderlecht on the new Belgian League toy on ESPN+ against Standard Liege. RCB in a 4-2-3-1, and they lead 1-0 late in the first half.

 

Anderlecht have been fairly dismal - as bad as you could be while leading 1-0 after 60 minutes. Miazga and the defense have been pretty stout, but defending way too much.

 

Jacob Bruun Larsen is on this team now? Remember a coach playing him over Pulisic with disturbing frequency? Can't believe that guy got fired.

 

Miazga plays peacemaker after his right back is fouled from behind and objects. Not as fun as taunting Miazga.

 

Free kick from the right side was aimed for Miazga - defender had position and clears it - to Lawrence, whose 30 yard half volley blast takes a deflection and into the corner of the net. 2-0 - the announcer is calling it a done deal, but it's minute 71 and Anderlecht have 72% possession, so I disagree.

 

Miazga wins a header off a corner, playing it to an open teammate, whose header from 8' forces a great save. Almost a nice assist.

 

Brilliant shot from Amallah brings this back to 2-1 in the 83rd, and sets up an interesting finish.

 

Muleka wins a long ball from Miazga and almost equalizes from just outside the box right in Miazga's face, but it goes over.

 

Late clincher makes it a 3-1 win, despite basically having no possession.

 

Put this one on ESPN+. High table battle with Antwerp - Anderlecht just had a penalty saved early in the 2H. 0-0. Miazga started at RCB.

 

Anderlecht go up via Ashimeru in the 52nd. Ball up the left wing, utterly brilliant outside of the foot cross by Nmecha to set up a composed 12 yard finish. No Miazga content, but there will be soon. Up 1-0.

 

Miazga accused of very soft handball penalty - thankfully referee doesn't bite. Would have been bad.

 

Panama in the house as Murillo volleys home a corner and Anderlecht have a 2-0 lead that flatters them, but they have been the better side.

 

El Hadj with an awesome curler into the far upper 90 from the top of the 18 and this thing is buried. Probably all that remains is to see if Miazga can get a shutout.

 

Miazga (and the rest of the defense) caught ball watching after a long free kick gets headed off the post, with the shot off of that being well saved, but the rebound from that save gets finished. The pinball happened fast but the Anderlecht D didn't really react while the attack did.

 

Miazga recovery run after Antwerp get behind the defense - keeper stalls them, shot happens anyway - saved by other Anderlecht field player, calm clearing pass by Miazga. Preserves a 4-1 win, which included a missed PK for the good guys.

 

Starts and going the distance against Sint Truiden, which started Chris Durkin. Appears to have been a dominant performance by RSC Anderlecht - I've had it on mute while watching Reynolds, but the finally score in the 79th minute to go up 1-0. Miazga has played a couple of nice long passes, haven't seen him defend much.

 

Good game from Miazga while I was watching, though it mostly consisted of making wide open passes to other wide open players, though he did come close to an assist on a 50 yard pass over the top of the whole defense.

 

The Miazgas vs. the McKenzies on ESPN plus. Onuachu is a handful, and has given Miazga trouble - muscling him off to open up a shot once, nutmegging him on another shot. That will be a battle. McKenzie is in his usual recent spot as the probable first defender off of the bench.

 

Miazga steal ends a dangerous counter.

 

Onuachu beats Miazga to a header, making it 1-1.

 

To be fair, Onuachu is 6'7", anticipated it well, and has 32 goals in the league this season.

 

Anderlecht save a tie with a goal line clearance and a crossbar in stoppage time. Fair result. Genk used no subs, so no Mckenzie.