Vincent Janssen appears ready for the Champions League clash with Barcelona. The Dutch striker was razor-sharp in the match against Westerlo, being involved in both goals. Owen Wijndal made his debut for Antwerp FC.
The left-back had fallen into the second (or third) choice at Ajax and was loaned to the Belgian club under the management of Mark van Bommel and director Marc Overmars. The fact that Wijndal has made playing minutes is important for Antwerp because Van Bommel saw his options for the left-back position decrease during the Champions League registration. The club management forgot to register Sam Vines.
Against Westerlo, Wijndal, who, along with Janssen, Toby Alderweireld, Jurgen Ekkelenkamp, and Gyrano Kerk, had a starting position, didn't really face any problems. Janssen scored the 0-1 as early as the sixteenth minute when teammate Mandela Keita disrupted Westerlo's buildup with good pressing.
In the 64th minute, Van Bommel significantly reduced the number of Dutch players on the field by substituting Wijndal, Ekkelenkamp, and Kerk at once. The substitute for Wijndal eventually scored the 0-2. Jelle Bataille shifted to the left and timed his run perfectly twenty minutes before the end. Janssen played a crucial role in the build-up to the goal, winning his aerial duel convincingly. He switched the play to the left, after which Bataille finished it off after his run for the decision. A late goal by Arbnor Muja made the victory even more comprehensive.
This allows Antwerp to approach their first Champions League match since 1957 with confidence. Back then, a top Spanish club was the opponent: on November 28, 1957, Real Madrid won convincingly with 6-0 against the Belgians. After that, Antwerp never reached the highest level of Europe again until Van Bommel guided them there this season through the playoffs.
