3 teams failed, 1 first in the class: the report after 5 match days of the Champions’ Play-offs

We’re halfway through the Champions’ Playoffs. After 5 match days the cards are completely different for the 6 teams than at the start. Which team is in the right flow? And what are the differences with the mutual results in the regular competition? A report from each team.

At the end of the regular competition, Union’s lead over Anderlecht was 7 points. Antwerp followed the leader at 18 points, Club Brugge even at 19 points.

Alexander Blessin’s team was able to present a good report against the top 6 teams in the regular competition: 19 out of 30. Only at home against Genk did Union lose 0-2.

The contrast with the results in the play-offs is enormous. Union could only get points from Antwerp and is left behind with 3 out of 15. The halved (!) lead over the competition melted away in recent weeks, causing the Brussels team to sink to 3rd place.

The Lotto Park seems to be the most important asset of record champion Anderlecht. The twelfth man also pushes the Purple & White forward during the play-offs. And with results: 3 wins in as many home games.

Brian Riemer’s team is doing less well on the road. Anderlecht fell through the ice at both Genk and Club Brugge. But with 9 out of 15, the report after 5 match days is certainly not bad.

Anderlecht also performed well in the regular competition against other clubs from the top 6. Just like Union, they scored 19 out of 30. They only lost (2-0) when they visited their neighbors from Sint-Gillis.

Antwerp started the Champions’ Play-offs 3rd in the standings. Against the top 6, Mark van Bommel’s team achieved half the points: 15 out of 30. So they just missed out.

A completely different story in the play-offs. The Great Old is currently playing below average and that is also reflected in the standings. One victory over Jan Breydel against Cercle provided the only points for Antwerp: 3 out of 15.

Wouter Vrancken’s team only managed to secure a spot in the Champions’ Play-offs on the final match day. Against the other teams from the top 6, it scored 12 out of 30.

KRC Genk started the play-offs strongly. After 3 victories against Union, Antwerp and Anderlecht and a draw against Cercle, the Limburgers applied for title candidate.

In midweek, Genk lost heavily when visiting Club Brugge: 4-0. Despite their good report, it will be difficult at 7 points from leader Anderlecht.

After the change of coach, Club Brugge is back in the right flow. Thanks to a strong series under new coach Nicky Hayen, the Blues fought their way into the title race. Club is still undefeated: 4 wins and 1 draw.

Under coach Ronny Deila, things went less smoothly in the regular competition against teams from the Champions’ Play-offs. The people of Bruges barely scored 11 out of 30. Only city rival Cercle did worse.

Against the top 6, Cercle Brugge achieved more points in 5 games in the play-offs than in the regular competition. With a 2-3 win over Union and two draws against Genk and Club, they have 5 out of 15.

In the regular competition, Cercle could not make it difficult for the other teams from the top 6. They drew 3 times: twice in the city derby against Club and a visit to Genk. Muslic’s team could not win once.