Antwerp took his first clean sheet of the season in Lotto Park, but the joy was somewhat tempered by the problems in the defense. For the fifth time in a row, Yuto Tsunashima had to leave the field early, a persistent cramping problem that is still not explained.
The 25-year-old Japanese started five league games, but he was always changed halfway or earlier. Against Anderlecht, this happened again around the hour, after having had the same scenario before against AA Gent, Union and other teams. The problem does not seem physical: Tsunashima can handle the toughest training sessions, but on competition days it strikes.
Coach Stef Wils acknowledges the frustration that this entails. “The moment the cramps arise, you see that Yuto is disappointed. As a coach it is also difficult: you know that there is a good chance that you will have to change your central defender around the hour. That sometimes limits you,” he admitted.
Antwerp turned out Tsunashima inside
The medical and technical team investigates everything: blood values are normal, nutrition is followed closely and a possible cause is sought. “We turned him inside out to find out what is going on. It keeps looking for a needle in a haystack,” says Wils.
Despite the switch from Tsunashima, Antwerp held up. Kiki Kouyaté and Andreas Verstraeten boarded and helped the team with the first zero of the season. While Kouyaté uses a robust, no-nonsense style, Verstraeten ensures calm structure, but both were crucial for defensive stability.
The question remains how long Antwerp can continue to build on Tsunashima as the first central defender. It seems inevitable that at some point, Wils will have to set up another option.
