Anderlecht lost Wednesday, November 27, at home against Benfica, final score 2-3. With a single point in the first five matches, the team in Brussels has “assured” last place at the end of the group phase, regardless of the outcome of the last fixture. For Belgian defender Anthony Vanden Borre was a match like any other, although it provided the pass for the second goal of his team, succeded by Bruno (77 minutes). Another match unearned, nothing new to Vanden Borre.
The 26-year-old defender born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, last night equaled the record held by former Rosenborg striker Frode Johnsen, established in 2004, of most consecutive games played in the UEFA Champions League without victory. Moreover, if Johnsen met before and after the ‘fateful’ series and the taste of victory in UCL, Vanden Borre has never won in the Champions League with Genk or Anderlecht. The Belgian has, from this year, the sad football record with most games played on the most important inter-club competition without winning one of them.
Vanden Borre has lost 13 and drew in 7 games but won none. This season, the 26 years old quarterback exceededVasilios Tsiartas, which has 18 matches in the Champions League with AEK Athens, and not won any of them (10 draws and 8 defeats). Moreover, during the period 1994-2006, AEK Athens has had a series of 21 consecutive matches without victory in the Champions League.