Disaster in sight for Belgian clubs? This Thursday, the representatives of the European scene did not shine. Ghent lost in the Polish gray of modest Rakow Czestochowa (1-0), and the RSCA missed the boat against Vitesse (3-3) in the Conference League. For its part, Antwerp took a slap against Nicosia (4-2) in the Europa League. Three performances, sometimes mediocre, sometimes average, which put a big thorn in the side of Belgian football. Indeed, we risk losing our direct qualifying place for the Champions League!
More than ever, this season is crucial to keep this automatic place. Explanation: only the top ten in the UEFA coefficient of the European championships have direct places for the Champions League. This coefficient is calculated on the basis of the last five years. The problem is that the last campaigns of Belgian clubs have been very average in recent years … except in 2017. That year, Genk and Anderlecht managed to settle in the quarterfinals of Europa Legue.
But all good things must end. After five years, we can no longer count on this auspicious year and UEFA will take into account the period 2018-2022. And that does not smell good for Belgium. As it stands, our coefficient would drop … to thirteenth place according to Sporza.
Hope … but a lot of fears!
In this virtual ranking, Belgium is 600 points behind Serbia, 3,600 over Ukraine and 4,250 over Austria. The 2017-2018 season had been catastrophic with only 2,600 points collected against 9,750 for Austria, 8,000 for Ukraine and 6,375 for Serbia.
Virtual ranking 2018 – 2022:
10. Austria 29.950 points
11. Ukraine 29.300 points
12. Serbia 26.375 points
13. Belgium 25.700
However, if Belgium is badly embarked, there is still a small reason for hope. Potentially, the Pro League has more representatives than our competitors.
Potential representatives of Belgian competitors:
10. Austria: 4 representatives (RB Salzburg – last round CL / Sturm Graz – last round EL / Rapid Vienna last round EL / LASK Linz – last round Conf. L.)
11. Ukraine: 3 representatives (Dinamo Kiev – CL group stage / Shakhtar Donetsk – CL final qualifier / Zorja Luhansk – EL final qualifying round)
12. Serbia: 2 representatives (Red Star Belgrade – last round EL) / Partizan Belgrade last round Conf. THE.)
13. Belgium: 5 representatives (Bruges – group stage CL / Genk – group stage EL / Antwerp – last round EL / Anderlecht, Ghent – last round Conf. L.)
To come back miraculously in the course, a significant number of clubs registered in the various European cups makes it possible to increase our coefficient. With this in mind, the Conference League return matches next Thursday will be crucial. The stake is above all financial. The basic amounts are very different depending on the competitions. The C1 brings in 15.25 million euros, the C2 3.63 million euros and the C3 2.94 million euros. And this just for participation. The amounts of victories also fluctuate the more the number of UEFA points collected according to the result.
If we look at the current state of affairs, it will be difficult to come back to Austria and Ukraine. Because the first city has, with Salzburg, a serious contender who almost always ranks in the quarterfinals of the Europa League with Salzburg. For its part, the Ukrainians will certainly have … two teams in C1. Shakhtar beat Monaco at the Louis II stadium (0-1) and has a good lead over the players of the Rock.
But everything remains to be played. Belgium obviously relies on Bruges and Genk. The Blauws in Zwart deserved better last year and were knocked out by Dynamo Kiev in regrettable circumstances (a lot of players had the covid). While the Limburgers seem well armed offensively. John van den Brom will especially have to adjust the sights defensively to, at least, pass the group stage of the EL.
