RSC Anderlecht does not end the year as hoped and is once again falling behind in the title battle. Due to the surprising home defeat against Charleroi, the purple and white’s title chances have shrunk considerably. And as a result, it cannot end another calendar year as leader.
It is now no less than the thirteenth time in a row that Anderlecht does not start the new year as leader. In 2024, the gap with KRC Genk was no less than 25 points, a year earlier Union was eleven points ahead. Vincent Kompany also had to try to make up for a ten-point deficit to Club Brugge in 2021.
Yet history shows that such a recovery is rarely successful. The last time Anderlecht was leader at the turn of the year dates back to 2013, when John van den Brom eventually also won the title. The Purple & White also crowned champions in 2017, although under René Weiler it started with five points behind Club Brugge.
In the more distant past, Anderlecht was often the autumn champion, but the introduction of the play-offs has changed that image. The regular competition weighs slightly less heavily, although a large deficit remains a serious mortgage. Apart from Weiler, no one has managed to close the gap in recent years.
The title again seems very far away for Anderlect this season. It still has to surpass Club Brugge and Union, while even STVV, the revelation of the season, does not promise to be an easy hurdle. Or will there still be a miraculous season ending?
In episode 23 of the second season of Tijd voor Voetbal, the penalty phase in KRC Genk – Club Brugge, the difficult match of RSC Anderlecht is discussed and STVV continues to convince in the JPL. That and much more in Time for Football.
