Besnik, how did you experience the Voobae weeks with that major management crisis around Wouter Vandenhaute?
“We are here to talk about the sporting aspect. About the match against RC Genk. We are not going to talk about what is going on above our heads. There is also no uncertainty about Neerpede. In the past two weeks there were many internationals gone. We have retained our focus with the guests who were there. There has been some playing match against Duinkerke and there.”
But you hope that the supporter protests like on Union now lie down? That also weighs on the group.
“The players also received a signal on Union. We talked to the fans for a long time. Everyone knows – both me and the players – that it should be better.”
The Mercato has ended. Is Anderlecht now weakened compared to last year?
“The club has achieved other profiles. We are younger than before. They are young football players who can become added value. We will grow as a team anyway. The injured Sardella and Camara are close to a return. That will also make us stronger. We should not immediately put all the pressure at Jonkovic, Kanaté, ….”
You lost your best player with Kasper Dolberg.
“It has been a long mercato, with many questions whether or not players would leave or stay away. At the end, both myself and the club thought that Dolberg would stay here. Kasper had said that he would leave alone if the right club knocked on knocking. With Ajax it was the case. There he absolutely wanted to go there. So, yes.”
Had you hoped for a replacement?
“I hoped that Kasper was going to stay, but there is still Vazquez, Stroeykens can play as false nine. Thorgan did that too at Dortmund for a while and there is Cvetkovic. Keisuke Goto we have previously rented to STVV because that boy was absolutely playing. Also anticipated the departure of Adriano Bertaccini that he is now injured.
Ultimately, you now have to harvest it with Vazquez, who already received a lot of criticism.
“I will always defend every player in the core. If you play football with Luis, you have to play him differently. You should not compare him with Dolberg who has other qualities. That Dolberg turned well, was also on Vazquez who pushte him. He now has the chance to prove himself. He works hard. I thought he was ahead. Offside. A striker always needs a goal. “
The core with 34 people is very large to work with.
“Yes, but that is also my own fault. If we had achieved European football, there would have been more margin to use players. As long as the mentality and concentration are good, there is no problem with such a large group. There are also many guests who can commute between the A-team and the futures. That is also good. If they have to prove that time.”
Mats Rits was sent to the B-core. You apparently had a hard time with that.
“That was not an easy decision. Neither for me nor for the club. Mats has always been a superprof that has given a lot for Anderlecht. But the club has made that decision that is not fun. There are many young players we don’t want to block. Of course I also talked to Mats personally. We have good contact.”
Put on the side with a bone-dry announcement: how Mats Rits ended up in the B-core of Anderlecht
Were you surprised that Simic went to Al Ittihad for 21 million?
“I worked in Saudi Arabia for a long time. For those clubs those amounts are just feasible. It is also an opportunity for such a player. If you are presented with such a contract, everyone would think twice. I personally think it was a shame because I was quite close to Carlo. The day before we talked about his future and his development. We also looked at the time of his time, also because he had his prayer for a while, also had his statement for a while. fixted. ”
Anderlecht anticipated the arrival of Mihajlo Ilic as a central defender. Yasin Özcan is also a center defender.
“Mihajlo Ilic is not yet entitled to play. He comes from outside the EU (Serbia, ed.) And so a lot of paperwork must be arranged. He doesn’t train yet. Özcan played 90 minutes with the U21 from Turkey. He is now further in his match rhythm than before. “
What about Moussa N’Diaye after the death of his brother?
“It is a very difficult period for Moussa. Nobody can speak in his name if you lose a brother. As a club, as a team we try to be as much as possible for him. This week it was better, also mentally. He is with the team.”
Genk also lost some players, but maybe they are the favorite Sunday?
“They are not a favorite in Lotto Park. We play at home and will be ready. It is a pity that we have to miss two boys after those red cards on Union (Saliba in Angulo, Red.)”
If you look at this core: what is a realistic ambition for this Anderlecht?
“We have to make sure that we run at the top. I also know: every time we lose, reference will be made to that European elimination against BK Häckken. I know from the past enough how that goes. We have made mistakes. I have to rectify them. If we take a good way of bringing football, we will be able to take steps.
