Brian Riemer hopes for an ‘Alderweireld moment’ for Anderlecht: “Now you can become the hero”

Club Brugge, Anderlecht and Union enter the last four matchdays of the play-offs neck and neck. The latter two clubs will face each other for the fifth time this season on Sunday. “From now on it comes down to those magical moments,” says Anderlecht coach Brian Riemer.

Anderlecht could not win against Union for almost 6 years, but about a month ago there was a victory for the Purple & White, thanks to Francis Amuzu.

Anderlecht coach Brian Riemer knows that his team still has few secrets from Union, but the same applies the other way around. “We know each other inside and out. It is the 5th time we have played against them this season.”

“I can’t say anything to my players that will surprise them. But that does open the door for those who can make a difference with their individual qualities.”

According to Riemer, it is therefore less of a tactical masterstroke that will decide the title. “In this phase you mainly have game changers necessary.”

“There are still 3 teams that have a chance to win the title. Now it comes down to those magical moments. Moments when someone does something incredible: a goalkeeper who stops a penalty, an amazing long-range shot, …”

“Just look at Toby Alderweireld last season: 1 action. 1 goal that decided the title.”

“That’s why we need players to step up now: a Dolberg, a Schmeichel, a Rits or a Delaney. Or perhaps one of the young players? This is the moment when you can become the hero.”

The magical moments now make the difference: a goalkeeper who stops a penalty or an amazing long shot, …

Brian Riemer (coach Anderlecht)

A boost for Anderlecht in the final stretch is that the infirmary is gradually emptying. “Verschaeren, Dreyer, Dolberg and Schmeichel have all trained again. We now have to wait and see how they respond to that training.”

According to Brian Riemer, the last three could immediately start again, “because they have not been out for that long”. “But Yari is not ready to start. Although he might come in.”

Club Brugge and Union have to play another match next week on Wednesday (Conference League) and Thursday (cup final) respectively. Anderlecht does have the luxury of being able to rest between its play-off matches.

“If you have an extensive core, those extra matches can be an advantage. And when I saw the Club bench yesterday, they have an extensive core.”

“It is indeed a bit more demanding physically, but there is also a mental factor. The only question is how they will react if things go wrong.”

In the meantime, supporters and journalists are busy making all kinds of calculations as to who has the best credentials based on the remaining program. Calculations that Riemer has also seen.

“They may look interesting, but at Union and Club Brugge they make the same calculations and think exactly the same about it. The only thing you can do is focus 100% on Sunday’s match. Match by match,” Riemer says. football cliché as a conclusion.