In his review of the penultimate match day in our football competition, Peter Vandenbempt reflects on the performances of Anderlecht, AA Gent and Antwerp. He asks the new boss of the Pro League to keep his leg stiff.
Peter Vandenbempt’s analysis in a nutshell:
- an impressive Anderlecht
- AA Gent also belongs in Play-off I
- how can Antwerp play football so poorly?
- a very nice tribute to Miguel Van Damme
- the new CEO must not give in to the call for 18 clubs
If Anderlecht still give it away…
With a big win against Charleroi, Anderlecht has once again settled in the top 4.
Charleroi played incredibly weak football, but Anderlecht above all impressively well. With energetic, disciplined and collective teamwork, it has crushed the adversary.
Everything was there, especially in the first half hour: aggressiveness, fast football, wonderful combinations, a lot of movement, a lot of depth… and technically it was taken care of. They like to see that in the Astrid Park.
Anderlecht will have to finish it this Sunday against KV Kortrijk. That team is not yet in holiday mode, just ask KV Mechelen, but giving it away would be unforgivable for Anderlecht.
Belgian football has once again shown itself from its best side
AA Gent dropped 2 points at Cercle Brugge- (2-2), but that was no ordinary game. Before the match, the stadium said goodbye to Miguel Van Damme. It was a very beautiful tribute.
In other stadiums, too, they paused to commemorate the goalkeeper’s farewell. And so Belgian football has once again shown its best side.
Van Damme was first and foremost a father, husband, son and friend. That Miguel Van Damme is irreplaceable, because football players or goalkeepers will always be there.
A good Ghent belongs in Play-off I
It was clear from the first minutes of the game that the players were not ready to play football after the emotions. Then we got to see a normal match.
After the retirement of Vadis Odjidja, AA Gent seemed to have lost their way, much to the chagrin of the coach. His players just started kicking balls away. That’s how they claimed that last equalizer.
With 22 out of 24, Ghent sets the average of a champion, but the damage has already been done before. How many chances have they not wringed their necks?
A shame, because the good football of AA Gent belongs in Play-off I.
How can you play football so poorly with Antwerp?
Antwerp has his ticket, after a victory with the heels over the ditch in Leuven (0-1). Once again they played badly and won anyway.
Because Antwerp can count on an excellent goalkeeper. Jean Butez has to catch even more balls than his colleague from tail team Seraing.
It remains a mystery how you can play football with this team so poorly. Is the team not as good as we think? Then a place in the top 4 is a very good achievement from Brian Priske.
The coach once said that Antwerp would bring good football if the sun started to shine. Then get started.
The new CEO must not succumb to lobbying
The dies have also been thrown at the bottom of the standings. Seraing plays jump-off matches to keep it against RWDM, KV Oostende and Zulte Waregem are saved.
A few years ago, KV Oostende and Zulte Waregem still played Play-off I and they served us a great cup final, now it was time to play soccer.
Both are terrified of a downsizing of the competition to 16 teams again. It will be a first challenge for the new CEO of the Pro League Lorin Parys. He must not succumb to lobbying.
Peter Vandenbempt
