With four match days to go, RSC Anderlecht remains on course for its first national title since 2017. The record champion is still in the lead in the standings. But to become an effective champion, the level of play will urgently have to be raised.
RSCA managed to take a huge step forward this season. In the previous year, the Purple & White had only finished eleventh and even missed out on the Play-Offs. Now it is in the lead in the rankings with the finish line in sight. Talk about an impressive metamorphosis.
On the other hand, these results should not come as a big surprise. After all, last summer the transfer market was very busy, with several big names also entering Lotto Park. This mainly concerned experienced players. So the intention was indeed to harvest in the short term.
Conservative and defensive
It will become clear in the coming weeks whether this will be successful. But in terms of playing level, too little is achieved from this selection. Although the injured are a valid excuse, RSCA must also be able to be more dominant and attacking with the remaining players.
This of course also has to do with the attitude of coach Brian Riemer. Last weekend, for example, he chose to counter the virile playing style of Cercle Brugge by playing long balls. A tactic that is at odds with the known style of the house. Moreover, it barely yielded one meager point.
Bee LaTribune Riemer was therefore reprimanded for his conservative or even defensive choices. “It is not in Anderlecht’s DNA to play like this,” says ex-national coach Marc Wilmots. “It is quite incomprehensible. Anderlecht has quality players. And you should not counter direct football (from Cercle, ed.) by playing so directly yourself,” adds Philippe Albert. “There was a lack of variety, ideas and the will to do things differently,” concludes Cécile De Gernier.
