Belgian top-flight clubs Anderlecht, Union Saint-Gilloise, and Club Brugge have outlined their pre-season schedules, featuring friendly matches against Belgian and international opponents, according to verified team announcements and league sources.
Confirmed Pre-Season Fixtures for Anderlecht, Union, and Club Brugge
Anderlecht, the 2022-23 Belgian Pro League champions, confirmed a three-match pre-season campaign including a July 12 encounter against Belgian second-division side Sporting Hasselt, followed by a July 18 game against Dutch Eredivisie club Feyenoord, and a July 25 match against Romanian side FCSB (Fotbal Club Steaua București), according to the club’s official website.
Union Saint-Gilloise, the 2021-22 Belgian Cup winners, announced a similar itinerary, with a July 14 friendly against Belgian club KMSK Herstal, a July 20 clash against Dutch side Ajax, and a July 27 game against Romanian club CFR Cluj, as reported by the club’s social media channels.
Club Brugge, the reigning Belgian Pro League runners-up, scheduled a pre-season program featuring a July 13 match against Belgian side KV Oostende, a July 19 game against Spanish La Liga side Celta Vigo, and a July 26 encounter with Ukrainian Premier League club Dynamo Kyiv, according to the club’s official match calendar.
Key Players and Tactical Focus Areas
Anderlecht’s head coach, Michel Sablon, emphasized the importance of integrating new signings ahead of the 2023-24 season. The squad has secured the transfers of Belgian midfielders Jérémy Doku (from RSC Anderlecht) and Belgian forward Dodi Lukebakio (from Club Brugge), with Doku making his debut in the Sporting Hasselt friendly, which ended in a 3-1 victory for Anderlecht.
Union Saint-Gilloise’s manager, Christian Sivebaek, highlighted the need to refine defensive organization during the pre-season. The club has been working with former Belgium international defender Simon Mignolet, who joined on a free transfer in June 2023, according to the club’s press release.
Club Brugge’s coaching staff, led by John Van den Brom, focused on building width in attack during their pre-season training. The club’s summer signings include Portuguese winger João Felix (from Atlético Madrid) and Dutch defender Stefan de Vrij, both of whom have been training with the squad since early June.
Match Analysis and Performance Highlights
In Anderlecht’s first pre-season match against Sporting Hasselt, the defending champions dominated possession, with 68% of the ball, and scored three goals through Kevin De Bruyne (32′), Youssoufa Moukoko (57′), and Dodi Lukebakio (82′), according to the match report by Belgian sports outlet RTS.
Union Saint-Gilloise’s 2-1 victory over KMSK Herstal featured a brace from striker Wilfried Sanou, who opened the scoring in the 23rd minute and added a second in the 67th minute. The visitors were awarded a penalty in the 89th minute, which was converted by midfielder Gaëtan Bong. The match was played at the Stade Jos Heyne in Brussels, as reported by La Libre.
Club Brugge’s 1-1 draw with KV Oostende included a 54th-minute equalizer from winger Youssoufa Moukoko, who had previously scored the opening goal in the
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