Peter Vandenbempt saw Union make a false start: “Worrying that typical DNA was absent”

The title battle is once again completely open in the Belgian competition. Our regular analyst Peter Vandenbempt also saw that the first day of the play-offs did not disappoint in terms of tension, who found Union to start “very disappointing” and wondered out loud: “Could Genk still play a leading role?” Read or listen to his full analysis below.

The way Union presented itself on the first day of the play-offs was an unpleasant surprise. Clearly also for trainer Alexander Blessin. Even in that better second half – where Union was in charge – it was still difficult to play football.

Some key players such as Puertas and Nilsson remained below their level and so little came from their dominance. When other carrying men make a mistake again – see Burgess and Moris – you have a problem.

The first half was worrying with a lot of ball losses and carelessness, but the typical intensity – which is anchored in the DNA of this Union – was also not present. And that is a striking observation at the start of the play-offs. Because now it has to happen for Union.

The next match against Cercle Brugge has suddenly become a must-win for Union.

Peter Vandenbempt

At the end of the match you felt a lot of irritation, unrest and nervousness in the team. Witness: Puertas, who started abusing poor Teklab and to top it all off, of course, Burgess’s – as stupid as it was justified – red card.

No, it was all very disappointing. Although this is somewhat in line with the last few weeks. I’ve said it before: Union is slightly more vulnerable than before. It also couldn’t win five games in a row.

It is in stark contrast to the match that Union played against Genk (0-1) a few months ago. That team stood on the field and played as if nothing could happen to them. The next match against Cercle Brugge is suddenly one must win for Union. Otherwise a problem will gradually arise.

On the other hand, it was an excellent performance by KRC Genk. At a good time. It is good for the club and for Wouter Vrancken – who has scored points with his solution for the many absentees – that it can once again be about football.

Vrancken’s plan was well executed by his players. There was a good combination of sharpness and eagerness in the group. I would say: there was a lot of Union in yesterday’s Genk.

And he was also great at football. Bilal el Khannous was outstanding on the ball and worked himself to death. The interaction with Anouar El Hadj was also good, Hrosovsky was very present, the flanks Joris Kayembe/El Ouahdi felt excellent as wingbacks and it was also rock solid at the back – even after Cuesta’s failure.

And after the break they put up a lot of fight to hold on to the victory. In short: it was simply very good from Genk. It was a deserved victory.

Of course, confirmation now has to come on the Antwerp field, but suddenly everyone is looking at Genk again and wondering: could Vrancken’s team still play a role – perhaps even the leading role – in these play-offs?

Anderlecht are also title favorites, but not more so than for the play-offs. Because just like at Union, it was surprisingly mediocre this weekend. Especially for the peace and quiet.

All credit also goes to Antwerp, which was dominant and still passed the ball around well in the team. Mark van Bommel even called it “Champions League level”, but that may have been a bit high. There wasn’t much danger from it either.

Anyway, Anderlecht were really nowhere and were waiting anxiously low again and did not put any pressure. Apparently they didn’t know how to do that. The best illustration was Hazard’s annoyance, who briefly argued with Riemer.

No matter how you look at it, that much-discussed red card for Wijndal helped Anderlecht a lot.

Peter Vandenbempt

And no matter how you look at it, that much-discussed red card for Wijndal helped Anderlecht a lot. It struck me that Van Bommel radically sent his team into the trenches after the break. That could have been handled differently.

Anderlecht got the ball and accepted it gratefully. The football played better after the break and we were able to create more chances, but it all remained a bit uncertain.

Be careful, putting in a fairly poor performance in the Champions’ Play-offs and still winning… Of course you will do well with that.

This weekend it heads to Club Brugge – where it organized a reference match about a month ago. Then everyone said: now prove that you are the title favorite. Well, Hazard and co. are given an excellent opportunity to demonstrate this once again. If only to avoid giving the pursuers ideas.

Everything is reportedly much clearer at Club Brugge. Suddenly everyone now – under new coach Nicky Hayen – knows what to do. But then it is still a mystery to me: how can you play football so poorly before half time and be dominated? That’s a bit strange.

Club played completely different football after half-time. So much better, faster, smoother and more eager. It was due to the excellent goalkeeper Warleson – who once again excelled in the derby -, and also due to bad luck and lack of quality in front of goal that Club did not win. In retrospect, the three points would have made sense.

Only: we have heard that story too much this season. Even under Ronny Deila, Club did not always reward itself when it was entitled to a victory and the level that Club achieved after the break has already been achieved this season.

So whether things are so different at Club – which should have finally left – remains to be seen. But – just like for Anderlecht – there is no better match on Sunday to show that it is ready to turn everything upside down again in the play-offs.