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And suddenly the “process” is back in Anderlecht

Anderlecht ensured Europe, but also reconciled with Neerpede at the end of the season.

The symbol was strong: after the second victory in a few days against Antwerp, the Anderlechtois seized the famous banner “In Youth We Trust”, still hung at Lotto Park, and proudly brandished it. A way, perhaps, to also pay tribute to the U21 winners of the Belgian Cup, but above all a clear message: now that confidence is there again, the project, the much-mocked “Process” has been able to take its place which was due to him.

An environment made in Neerpede

One wonders why it didn’t happen sooner, at least in midfield. Because throughout the season, something seemed to be missing in the Anderlecht midfield. The Cullen-Olsson duo didn’t work, it’s as simple as that. The Swede has never managed to impose his mark on the game of the RSCA. Some will say that it was not his role, but in that of the recovery medium, there was already Cullen; two midfielders unable to lead offensively, it was too much.

Marco Kana

It took until 2022 for Olsson to leave the XI, and it wasn’t straight away for a youngster from Neerpede. Majeed Ashimeru got his chance, and proved that what was missing in midfield was a bit of passion. The RSCA changes face. Bad luck, the Ghanaian gets injured…and it is this combination of circumstances that will push Kompany to relaunch Marco Kana in these playoffs.

Kana, long put aside, who worked on his physique in the shadows without being discouraged. “I’m constantly learning, it’s my style. I worked hard, never stopped, and I still have a lot to learn,” said the median on Thursday. More than a physical progression, it is a mental progression that Marco Kana has achieved. He now seems calm. At his side, or rather in front of him, another young man who was impatiently awaited: Kristian Arnstad. Again, it will take a combination of circumstances for Kompany to launch it: the recurring injury of Yari Verschaeren.


Kristian Arnstad

Kristian Arnstad

© photonews

Ironic, perhaps, that one of Neerpede’s greatest talents is breaking through at the expense of the one who so far represented the best, within the nucleus, training at Anderlechtoise. But Verschaeren seems to have leveled off for a few months. With Arnstad, he now faces tough competition. Elegant, lucid, powerful, technical, always forward-looking: Kristian Arnstad, on paper, has it all. And he’s only 18.

Amuzu, Neerpede’s “veteran.”

While Verschaeren is somewhat in the shadows, there Francis Amuzu experiences an unexpected comeback. We would almost forget him as he has been playing in the A team for several years now, but Amuzu is also a pure product of Neerpede. And while Lior Refaelov sticks out his tongue at the end of a long season, Benito Raman fails, Amuzu has adjusted the sights. Four (!) goals in two games, what more can we say? Which, as usual, will have to be confirmed. But at 22, “Ciske” may have finally come of age. As living proof that you shouldn’t be impatient with young people coming out of the purple training center.


Amuzu Francis

Amuzu Francis

© photonews

Let’s not forget, either, this long-awaited return of Hannes Delcroix. If he is already 23 years old, the Red Devil has not yet managed to play a full season in the A team, the fault of recurring injuries. And yet, his absence this season has been cited as one of the ills of the Anderlecht defense. Ah, some wonder, what if Delcroix had been there rather than Magallan! We cross our fingers in Brussels so that this time, his body leaves the unfortunate Hannes alone.

At Bosuil, Kompany had lined up the youngest eleven of their season – well helped by the absence of Hendrik Van Crombrugge in favor of Bart Verbruggen. With a “kid” in each line, the results are present, the public has fun and identifies with their team and the “process” finally regains its brilliance. We can only hope that this is a good omen, and that the U23s in D1B will not cut this good momentum – it would be paradoxical. And maybe next summer, before recruiting a 4 million midfielder, Peter Verbeke will bet on youth.

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