Miron Muslic does not want Anderlecht to win a fourth time against Cercle: “We already took five points and want at least that many more” (Jupiler Pro League)

Anderlecht and Brian Riemer have already won three times against Cercle Brugge this season, but if it depends on Miron Muslic, there will not be a fourth time. Cercle will see Boris Popovic and Jesper Daland return from suspension on Sunday and that will at least provide more stability. The Belgian top is not yet done with Cercle in the return matches either. “We want to get at least 5 points again,” Muslic insists.

When does he plan to resume preparation for next season? “That hasn’t been determined yet,” answers Miron Muslic and his grin speaks volumes. Muslic wants to wait and see whether there will be another jump-off match against the winner of the Europe play-offs. The Bosnian Austrian remains an ambitious boss and has made it clear for some time that participating is not more important than winning for Cercle in these Champions’ play-offs. Cercle started with 5 out of 9, but lost against both Antwerp and Anderlecht in one week and is now only sixth.

Muslic wants to finish at least fifth and mercilessly laughs away those who think that Cercle has lost their way. “We will show in the coming weeks that there is still sufficient freshness, energy and power in our team. Against Anderlecht we were in the center of the back with a 19-year-old boy and a 20-year-old boy in the team. Jonas Lietaert and Christiaan Ravych did a fantastic job, but with Popovic and Daland we obviously have more experience. With their return I can now also put Siquet, Ravych and Lopes in their best positions and that will benefit the balance in the team.”

Somers also back

In the regular competition, Cercle barely scored 3 out of 30 against the other participants of these Champions’ play-offs and before the start at the end of last month it was already questioned whether it could be more. So yes. Cercle took 5 points and Muslic wants to see that number at least doubled.

And why would that be impossible? Against Antwerp, green-black lost on the 125th anniversary with the smallest difference, against Anderlecht they were too weakened. Muslic can now rotate a little more again. Utkus remains out, together with Semedo and Nazinho, but in addition to Popovic, Daland and Miangue, Thibo Somers is also 100% fit again. The captain will start against Anderlecht on Sunday and guys like Felipe and who knows, maybe Minda will get some rest.

“Many of our boys are only 19 years old and have only just arrived in Europe,” Muslic asks for understanding. “They have already given a lot and now they lack some freshness. That is typical of a young team, but that sharpness can return quickly. This is all part of the package of how young players should be developed. For the time being, we certainly cannot be dissatisfied.”

“We weren’t bad for the first 25 to 30 minutes in Anderlecht, but individual mistakes cost us. If we can reduce the number of misses and become a little sharper up front, then I’ll give you a heads up that we can get at least 5 points again in the coming matches.”