Anderlecht New Signings & Young Talent: 8 First Impressions

You know how that goes with history: it repeats itself. Everything comes back. The West Flemish White Star Lauwe once made Anderlecht very difficult in a cup match in 1966 and gained the nickname The little Anderlecht. About 60 years later- at the Galamatch for their centenary- De Wietstar restrained the Brussels record champion equally again. At least in the first half. The team from third national actually went into the break with a 1-0 lead. After the break, the Brussels residents did attract the sheet.

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1. Too few opportunities for rest
The troops of Besnik Hasi were, however, with quite a sturdy team at the kick -off. How about names such as Hazard, Stroeykens, newcomer Cvetkovic … Only too few real opportunities were created. Okay, the home team played football as if their lives were off and put a lot of pressure on the ball – Chapeau Lauwe – but Anderlecht mainly missed finesse. There were too many passes that did not reach their final destination. The young Nathan de Cat tried, but his long balls did not always arrive either. The young Serbian Cvetkovic is a Jerommeke, but could not leave his mark.

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2. Viermans defense in the loss of the ball
The contours of tactics became clear in this first match. Hasi played a 4-4-2 in the ball loss and with a three-man backguard in possession. With this team it provided a few remarkable Movements. For example, striker Keisuke Goto and sometimes even Cvetkovic had to sag to the left flank if White Star Lauwe had the ball. The game distributors: Verschaeren, Stroeykens, Hazard had a lot of freedom. It led to no more than a few shots about goal.

3. Vroninks competition for Foket?
Thomas Foket should now seize his chance. The experienced right back should claim a base place now that Killian Sardella is still out. Foket did the running gait on its flank and kicked some passes. One of them yielded a parried head opportunity for the cat. What you did see: when the young Basile Vroninks replaced him in his position after the break, it brought more variation and dynamics. The game became less sterile. It is much too early to make predictions, but Vroninks is one to keep an eye on. Even though Vroninks was replaced by Gabriel Biladi in the 78th minute – perhaps agreed.

4. Physical presence needed in midfield
Anderlecht actually fell behind. Last season the statistics showed that this team sometimes had too little impact in midfield. With that one good counter of White Star Lauwe Verschaeren (and co.) Let’s go for a while. Lauwe cut through the defense and Gaziano finished well. Punishment that 1-0 at the break. Those are things that can be avoided.

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5. Keita is a powerhouse, Hatenboer dares
Anderlecht came after the break – just like Lauwe by the way – with a completely different team on the site. There was more Schwung in this second team. At the back Zoumana Keita made his debut. The new defender makes a physical impression: big, presence … he headed a cross immediately on the post. Hatenboer also played football with great enthusiasm. He dared to claim the ball and launch (difficult) passes. Sometimes the Dutchman became a bit reckless, but at least he dared. There was more variation. Of the three acquisitions, it was therefore still searching for Cvetkovic.

6. Leoni shows itself
The very deserving White Star Lauwe could not maintain the intensity after the break. The little Anderlecht bowed somewhat after the break. That was also because Theo Leoni as an infiltrating ten managed to create danger. A header, a staircase on the bar … At the last attempt, Vazquez kicked the 1-2 into the rebound. Just before that, Tristan Degreef had already scored the equalizer with a shot. Vazquez also worked in the 1-3 in the lock. Leoni will be the end of the contract in a year, the desire to show itself (to other clubs?) Seems to be there.

7. Quiet Hasi (and Staff)
Anderlecht finally won the case. Of course it was only a first practice match and all internationals were still missing. Ludwig Augustinsson did not participate and there was no trace of Alexis Flips either. It was Maamar who played left back. Coach Besnik Hasi mainly observed. He sometimes called hard to Kaïs Barry – son of Boubacar Copa – who played as a central defender before the break. The Kosovar coach wanted the young person to shift the game from Kant. The young pawn sometimes delivered a nice shot. Leoni also went in consultation with Hasi. Hasi’s new assistants – including Lucas Biglia and Jérémy Taravel – absorbed everything. Just like sporting director Renard.

8. “Wouter outside”
And the supporters? The Jan Verhoevestadion was sold out and there were a lot of Anderlecht fans present. Also the man who saw fireworks exploding in his hand during the recent cup final. With them it was The Same Old Story. His remain very critical of chairman Wouter Vandenhaute and even chanted ‘Wouter Buiten’ in this friendly match. Well.

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