Vandenbempt: “I agree with Leye: Genk is the best team of the moment” | Jupiler Pro League

Anderlecht won 0-3 at Sint-Truiden, but always a difficult move for the Purple & White. Also on the renewed Stayen with artificial grass it could only win 3 of the last 10 games.

STVV was also doing well: no longer lost 12 matches with only 6 goals against, they were able to equal a historic series by Raymond Goethals from the 60s. Then it is simply well done from Anderlecht.

Because of the heat, STVV – as the coach noted – was able to put less energy than usual into his game. And then Anderlecht turned out to have by far the best football players.

With Fabio Silva in the lead, already one of the sensations of the first weeks of the season. Unsurprisingly, it’s a player Wolverhampton paid 40 million euros 2 years ago. You can also see why: great technique, fast and agile, enormously energetic, also defensively not afraid to work…

He is also deadly efficient in the box: 5 goals and 2 assists in 6 matches. Those are tough numbers, tougher than Joshua Zirkzee, that other great talent from last season.

The big difference between the two is the energy. Zirkzee, with all its pure class and elegance, often looked absent and nonchalant. That used to get on my nerves, and it’s completely different with Silva.

But there is more at Anderlecht: Lior Refaelov is still decisive in the first weeks of the season at 36.

Francis Amuzu continues from last season’s play-offs. Yari Verschaeren clearly feels good in his new, free role that he has been given by Mazzu. And the debut of Mario Stroeykens – he is only 17 – was also quite okay.

With that 9 out of 12 and the European qualification, Felice Mazzu’s start at Anderlecht is just good. Only those blackouts against Cercle Brugge and Paide Linnameeskond are a bit disturbing at the same time. That lower limit should no longer be so low.

Whichever way you look at it, the next week and a half will be hugely decisive. In any case, Anderlecht must pass Young Boys Bern in Europe and then it can continue to grow in peace.

Club Brugge also won 0-3 in Leuven and it was already a must for the champion after 1 out of 6 in the past two games.

Goalkeeper Simon Mignolet had to excel every time to get that meager harvest of 4 out of 9. Then there is criticism, that is the new status of Club Brugge.

If you also have a new, debuting coach with Carl Hoefkens, there are already a few doubts here and there. Especially if the coach is constantly skipping players – one week you’re in the starting lineup, the next you’re in the stands. It reminded me a bit of Vincent Kompany in his first weeks.

If Hoefkens then puts his best player on the bench with Noa Lang – albeit at his own request – and if he leaves figurehead Ruud Vormer out of the selection for the match against Leuven, then you better win after 1 in 6.

Hoefkens still scored points in Leuven as a coach. His team turned out to be perfectly prepared to neutralize that special game of OHL.

The first 20-25 minutes were, in my opinion, the best Club Brugge has already shown this season: pressing, movement up front, chances, good goals – although they did have a little help from Leuven.

Nevertheless, a special mention for Noa Lang. He has been waiting for his dream transfer for a long time, but he will continue to work. The Dutchman was an excellent substitute, was his frivolous, eager, provocative self. No brakes, just played football for Club Brugge.

For example, the national champion deserved to win and it once did not need an outstanding Mignolet to win. That must have been before last season’s play-offs.

Hans Vanaken was even allowed to miss two penalties. I checked it: that’s almost as much as in the rest of his career combined. He previously missed 3 out of 24, Club could afford that in Leuven yesterday.

Genk also recorded a smooth victory on the field of Zulte-Waregem: 1-4. According to Mbaye Leye, the coach of Waregem, Genk is the best team of the moment and I agree with him.

It brings the best, most complete, most convincing football, from match day 1. Also yesterday in Waregem it brought a wonderful combination of speed, technique, movement and depth.

And what coach Wouter Vrancken also underlined: collective spirit. There is also a lot of “dirty” work being done, indicating an exemplary mindset. He has also received that in comparison with a lot of competitions from last year.

The downside is that players are constantly dropping out. If you make a comparison with the basic team that also did very well in Bruges on the first day of play, then there are already 4 players left.

Oyen has retired, Ito has left, top scorer Dessers has gone, Lucumi has now also gone to Italy… But the replacements apparently fill that role without any problems. With that budding talent Bilal El Khanouss, also one of the discoveries of the first weeks.

Mike Trésor, who knows, maybe he will still meet the high expectations after a year’s delay. Paintsil is a player who needs confidence and has it right now. And a very interesting young striker, Andras Németh, who apparently always scores.

I think captain Bryan Heynen is really on level again. He clearly feels at ease. Then Onuachu still has to return, although it may take a while before he is up to standard.

And I would also like to mention goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt. He has already secured a transfer to Leipzig in two years’ time, but instead of resting on his laurels, he gets the motivation to get even better.
I would say: in Genk the sun also shines figuratively.