One more step to go for RSCA, which is crossing fingers for Yari Verschaeren: “I especially hope it was a precaution” | Sport

Anderlecht took maximum advantage of AA Gent’s loss of points and are once again in charge of their own fate. Verschaeren’s groin injury is a damper on the celebration.

Anderlecht are one match from the next step in the process. Year two for Verbeke and Vandenhaute, year three for Vincent Kompany. The Champions’ play-offs at your fingertips and a view to the first trophy in five years. The step could turn into a jump this spring. What a boost it would be for that cup final if Anderlecht were to join the first four next week at the expense of AA Gent. Then the Purple & White will go to Heysel with the moral advantage anyway. But before that, Anderlecht will play another final. One last trick for the Purple & White to end the regular competition, at least in the Guldenspoor Stadium. In terms of ampleur it can count.

Anderlecht simply pushed Sporting Charleroi aside yesterday. Thanks to that victory, Anderlecht are once again masters of their own destiny. They were also before the start of the match against the Carolo’s. A helping hand from Bruges, that they can still experience that at Anderlecht. Thibo Somers can expect a beer basket from Brussels in the coming days. Even the bar in Jan Breydel was favorable to Anderlecht. In and around the Lotto Park nobody was busy with Flanders’ Most Beautiful. Brugge Die Scone, that’s what the focus was on. “The cheers from Théo Verbeecklaan could be heard in the dressing room”, Kompany laughed.

A helping hand is of course worth nothing if you don’t grab it and Anderlecht did that immediately. Pressed forward, sucked in by their own fans, the waves of attack piled up. And yet Kouamé needed a miscalculation by Hervé Koffi to give Anderlecht the lead. The sequel was less, mainly due to the failure of Yari Verschaeren. The ten felt something in the groin and sat down. “Yari knows his body best, I just hope it was a precaution,” said Kompany. “He had returned from the national team with hindrance.”

With or without Yari, it makes a difference for Anderlecht. In frivolity, movement between the lines and threat of the ball. Especially because they have already lost a lot of creativity and verticality in midfield due to Ashimeru’s injury.

Will that be okay with Yari for Kortrijk? Groin injuries are tricky. How much risk are you willing to take with your playmaker, knowing the cup final is just around the corner. It will be a theme this week in the run-up to the decisive game. Judging by Kompany’s choices yesterday, Anouar Ait El Hadj will get his chance against Kortrijk. He came to replace Verschaeren, but could not convince. In a team that plays as dominantly as Anderlecht yesterday in the first half hour, it could be a little more. El Hadj is a step higher in the pecking order than Amuzu, but ‘Ciske’ did take his goal yesterday.

Anderlecht survived a difficult first fifteen minutes after the break and then freewheeled to 4-0 in the last half hour. With two scoring strikers, always good for confidence. Four goals and a place in the top four.

They don’t have to count on a present from Karim Belhocine, even though KV Kortrijk doesn’t play for anything anymore. Belhocine was an assistant under Vanhaezebrouck at Anderlecht. He left because Kompany drew his own technical staff when he arrived. Anderlecht would not have stolen its place in the Champions’ play-offs, but they will have to force the qualification themselves. You can’t count on a helping hand every week.