Belgian Classic: Standard de Liège vs R.S.C. Anderlecht

Words: Ryan Clauin

Images: Ryan Clauin

The Belgian Classic is one of the most historical rivalries that the Pro League has to offer and the encounters between these two mythical clubs rarely disappoint in the scenarios and emotions that have twisted to extremes during certain confrontations in the past.

The real rivalry between the two clubs began in the 1950s when Anderlecht and the Standard competed for the top spots in Belgian football. It has since settled in time thanks to the performances of both clubs on the national and European scene, even if a regression is now visible on the sporting level for a few seasons.

But it is also and above all, a question of cultural and social rivalry with, on one side the "Rouches" of Liège representing a historically workers' heritage as can be witnessed around the stadium and on the other side the "Mauves" of the Anderlecht district representing the Brussels capital and its wealth.

The context is set, it is time to take the road to visit Sclessin for the second time and build a definitive opinion on its famous atmosphere.

©Ryan Clauin/Terrace Edition. Standard de Liège vs R.S.C. Anderlecht.

Let’s start with the surroundings of the stadium, there is everything you need to live a good pre-game, the side streets are crowded with the presence of many bars and stands from which a warm and popular atmosphere emerges.

I decided to come back early to the grandstand to feel the tension slowly, which allows me to enjoy this stadium which has a special architecture by its impressive verticality as well as with its T2 independent of the other stands.

Three tifo animations are present when entering the players, the main one is made by the UI96 who take a historical photo of supporters standing in the former stadium of the Standard, the second is present in the block of the PHK, taking the two main colours of the club and finally, two large tarps are deployed in the visitor area, accompanied by flags and smoke.

The atmosphere during the first 15 minutes is boosted in particular thanks to the good start of the Standard but it is a revved up Sporting Anderlecht who comes to hit the locals twice (18 and 24th: 0-2) before definitively spoiling the atmosphere at the 26th with a third goal finally refused by the VAR after a few minutes relaunching the supporters of the Standard and also allowing the visitors to be heard until half-time of this match.

At the beginning of the second half, the atmosphere starts again and it is at this moment that the famous expression of “Enfer de Sclessin” makes sense, the UI96 achieve a magnificent light show and the RSCL players transcend themselves in the midst of smoke and sulphur odours to reverse the game in just 10 minutes (52 - 55 and 61st: 3-2).

It’s a completely crazy atmosphere with chaos in the grandstand and the score will not move until the end of this new unforgettable evening for Standard fans.

The game shows once again, that it is a rivalry to follow in Belgium and that the match-up has not finished unleashing passions.