“Competition will think: second one later in May will also be good”
The win against Antwerp was a statement of Club Brugge in what has become a prestige duel in recent years on the field, in the stands and also a little in the boardroom. The circumstances were favorable for Club with an early goal and an early red card for Antwerp, but Club forced those circumstances itself.
Club was also the better team with 11. Antwerp was trumped in sharpness, in drive, in guts, … Club played football quickly with a lot of pressure and craftsmanship. Collectively and individually it was a top performance. For example Noa Lang is becoming more and more decisive with his actions. He brings something special and exudes the guts of a champion. De Ketelaere remains on the same level as a discovery, as an occasional striker. And in the absence of Vormer, Rits was allowed to play in his favorite position again. He did that very well.
Club also keeps a clean sheet. That was a bit more difficult this season than last season. But now it is already 4 matches in a row in the competition. It was a convincing victory on the field from a great challenger. And it is leader again. It was one of those afternoons when the competition sighs and thinks: the second one in May will also be good.
It is to be hoped that Jean Butez does not flounder against Zulte Waregem or there is suddenly a goalkeeper problem at the Bosuil
“Football from Antwerp suits top club, but that also includes results”
A crisis at Antwerp? In any case, that shouldn’t be allowed if you look at the road it has traveled this season: won the cup and a very nice European course at his return. It has also regained the status of a top club and on the field there is now also a new identity with daring football.
Football fits with the status of a top club, but that also means results. Antwerp has already lost 5 times in the competition and that is too much. In recent weeks, Antwerp was not rewarded a few times for the preponderance and the good game, such as against Standard and Ostend and partly against Anderlecht. But now Antwerp is already in two weak matches and two logical defeats in a row against Genk and Club Brugge.
And the conclusion is also: Antwerp has not won a single time in toppers: 1 in 15. It struck me that Luciano D’Onofrio, the sports director, in his weekend interviews between the lines had quite a bit of criticism on his trainer and on the risky game. And he also put the success in perspective by saying that the core is now much better than that of the previous trainer.
Leko also fell a bit out of his role because of that open criticism of goalkeeper Beiranvand. He called it a risk to put it and ultimately a wrong choice. I agree with him, but that is something else. It is unseen for a trainer to focus that on. It is to be hoped that Jean Butez does not flounder against Zulte Waregem or there is suddenly a goalkeeper problem at the Bosuil. Leko is the trainer who set up 5 goalkeepers at Club Brugge in the champion year. That cannot be the intention in Antwerp.
“After the match against KVO we know whether Anderlecht has left for good”
Anderlecht won against the team of the moment on Friday. Genk was in a great flow with 7 victories in a row, a club record. Even after the great football against Antwerp, it was already put forward as the challenger of Club Brugge. And the striker trio was in great shape.
Anderlecht were by far the better team and they deservedly won the way the fans like it. Then there may be cheers afterwards. I already liked Anderlecht at Zulte and now it was a lot better. There was a lot of energy and aggressive pressing with Cullen as the driving force.
Sambi Lokonga was very good. He seems to be starting to live up to expectations. There were actions from the flanks, balls through, the predictability had disappeared from the attack game. Anderlecht had speed and many opportunities. And it has neutralized Genk’s 3 strong attackers. This was Anderlecht’s best and most complete match this season. It was different than against Antwerp. Then it also took a win, but that was from the reaction.
A shame of the serious injury for Yari. It was clear he too was starting to grow in those few matches in his favorite position. Anyway, a swallow does not make spring. Tomorrow they will play against KV Oostende, one of the fresh sounds in our league. Then we will know whether Anderlecht has left for good.
“Incomprehensible that KV Mechelen is involved in relegation battle”
The team of the moment, of the last month and a half, is Waasland-Beveren. It is doing a great remonte. Club records are broken in terms of points and suddenly it is 7 points above last place. A month ago, the impression was that the last two places were fixed with Mouscron and Waasland-Beveren. They still had some catch-up games, but they would still lose them, everyone thought.
But look, in the meantime STVV, Cercle Brugge, Zulte Waregem and KV Mechelen have also joined the battle for preservation. I find that quite incomprehensible about KVM. Of all those tail teams, KV Mechelen plays the best football. It has performed the best, but it manages to plummet itself every time. Often with early red cards, like yesterday, or with blunders in the back.
And so it is possible that, despite praise for the performances, KV Mechelen has won one time in 9 matches since September. Then you can sink deeply. With the arrival of Club Brugge this week and a trip to OHL at the weekend, it could be a black Christmas.
With the sale of Aster Vranckx, there has been good news for the club house, but that uncertainty remains due to the unpleasant situation surrounding the main shareholder.
And I also found it striking how trainer Wouter Vrancken was very interested in moving to Sint-Truiden immediately where they were looking for a new trainer. Due to the high lump sum in his contract, that could ultimately not go ahead, but that does not show a very great confidence in the future of KV Mechelen or in his own future at the club.
