The title battle seems to turn into a classic duel between Anderlecht and Club Brugge

Anderlecht-Club Brugge on Sunday, May 19 – will that be the decisive match of the 2023-2024 season? After five of the ten matchdays, the Champions’ Playoffs are witnessing an impressive reversal of fortunes. Not Union and Anderlecht, but Anderlecht and Club Brugge have distanced themselves from the pack of title pretenders. If Union loses points on Thursday evening at the Bosuil, the gap will be a fact.

There are many reasons to explain the change. The most important is the shortage of breath at Union, which opened the play-offs with zero out of twelve. Antwerp has only played at home once in these play-offs – a 0-1 defeat against Genk – and will be keen to give the winner of the regular competition a zero out of fifteen. Both teams will also play the cup final on May 9.

But just as spectacular as Union’s decline is Club Brugge’s rise. On Wednesday, blue-black won with clear figures against Racing Genk. Ferran Jutgla scored early in the first half, after halftime Michal Skoras, Igor Thiago and Maxim De Cuyper made it another gala evening. The fact that Thiago also scores again, his first competition goal since January 30 against KV Kortrijk, means a big boost in the title battle.

After a draw on the opening match day – 1-1 at Cercle – blue-black is in the form of champions. It took 12 out of 12 against Anderlecht, Antwerp, Union and Genk. In between, it also qualified for the semi-finals of the Conference League. Chairman Bart Verhaeghe’s remark that the Belgian competition calendar stands in the way of European success is not supported by the facts for the time being.

“We were already written off for the title this season, now we are back,” responded captain Hans Vanaken. “Let’s stay calm and get through the busy weeks well.”

A side note about the blue-black success is that it has already played at home three times. Last Sunday at Union, the Bruges supremacy was less great and Club took, in the words of its (interim) coach Nicky Hayen, an “ugly win”. Next Sunday, Club will play the ‘return match’ at Genk and can knock the Limburgers out of the title race.

The 4-0 in Bruges is hard for Racing Genk. Just like Club, Genk had not yet lost in the play-offs and had won a nice home win against Anderlecht. Just when the Limburgers seemed to be joining the battle for the title, weak defending defeated them.

Cercle Brugge also sees its chances dwindle further after an encouraging start in the play-offs. Cercle had started the match in Lotto Park well, but as is often the case, Anderlecht was able to score a maximum of goals from a minimum of chances. Theo Leoni and Anders Dreyer put Anderlecht on their way to victory just after the half hour. Goalkeeper Warleson, who had had a strong season so far, made a painful mistake in the 3–0.

Fan dies in Anderlecht

Anderlecht mourned the death of a fan on Wednesday evening, who had become unwell. But thanks to the 3-0 win against Cercle, the Purple & White can increasingly dream of a first title since 2017. Just like seven years ago, Club Brugge seems to be the most important remaining title candidate. By the way, another parallel is emerging. In the last title year, trainer René Weiler put third goalkeeper Frank Boeckx in goal. On Wednesday, Colin Coosemans suddenly played his first competitive minutes since September 15, 2019. Coosemans had started the season as the third goalkeeper and had to replace the injured Kasper Schmeichel at halftime. Anders Dreyer also dropped out with an injury. Nothing was known about the nature on Wednesday, but it was said to be minor injuries.

Anderlecht must now strengthen its title ambitions by also triumphing away. On Sunday it plays the ‘return match’ at Cercle, the following week it goes to Union. The possible title match against Club Brugge, on the penultimate matchday on May 19, will be played at home.