Peter Vandenbempt: “There are many reasons to think that Club Brugge will no longer hand this over”

With an impressive 19 out of 21, Club Brugge has taken the lead in the battle for the national title. Peter Vandenbempt sees that Nicky Hayen has molded a team. Read and listen to the weekly analysis from our football commentator here.

Antwerp

Club Brugge

Club Brugge is the new leader. There are many reasons to think that it will no longer hand this over.

Because things are bad with Dame Fortuna, for example. Every time the penny falls well, even in Florence where they could have lost with much heavier numbers.

Club also has some luck in the play-offs. Outdoors they get the lead three times with luck, which of course makes a difference.

Antwerp could have received a second penalty yesterday, but it was not called. That was also not too bad for Club Brugge.

Nicky Hayen has initially molded a team: one that does not crack when Club gets difficult.

Peter Vandenbempt

Ronny Deila must be going crazy. During his period, Club Brugge often lost due to bad luck.

Although that is only part of the explanation. Nicky Hayen has initially molded a team: one that does not crack when Club gets difficult. That is a big difference from its predecessor.

Club Brugge now plays football with a great competitive mentality, it plays well in blocks and it has class. Hans Vanaken leads the way, Thiago is very strong and guys like Skov Olsen flash.

No matter how you look at it: the players now play better football and are in better shape than before the Hayen period. The trainer has something to do with that.

19 out of 21 is not normal and Club Brugge is facing a very important week. In Europe I thought Fiorentina were a lot stronger in the first leg.

It could have been over already, but it isn’t over. And at home, Club Brugge can put things right and reach the final of the Conference League.

Afterwards, Union can eliminate one of its competitors in the battle for the title. Although it can also go wrong twice.

Antwerp has suffered badly in these play-offs. Still, the outgoing national champion will have a good feeling about the defeat against Club Brugge (1-2).

If the referee had done his job, Antwerp would have deserved a point. Now there was annoyance and frustration, but that can generate energy for Thursday’s cup final against Union.

I thought Toby Alderweireld’s swipe at the refs was inappropriate and incorrect. The referees are not blowing dramatically at all in these play-offs. They reach a higher level than Antwerp.

Anyway, the way Alderweireld did it, in the first emotion after the match and viewed through Antwerp glasses, makes it quite acceptable.

The referees are not blowing dramatically at all in these play-offs. They reach a higher level than Antwerp.

Peter Vandenbempt

I thought Antwerp’s performance against the team of the moment was promising. You saw a lot of sharpness, a lot of dedication and good organization.

However, the team is struggling, not for the first time this season, with a lack of quality in ball possession. To create great opportunities, it lacks creativity.

With 3 out of 21 and a terrible result, but to me Antwerp seems ready for a battle with Union for the cup.

And then Antwerp and Mark van Bommel can shake hands and say goodbye in peace. Who knows, with a prize after a difficult season.

Union

Anderlecht

As the first of the three at the top, Union no longer has its fate in its own hands. It could not win its home match, while it was back in the flow and Anderlecht could have delivered a final blow.

That is why the disappointment after the 0-0 will be slightly greater at Union than at Anderlecht. You could deduce that from the words and body language of the players.

If Anderlecht beat Genk and Club at home, they will not hand it over. Although that is easier said than done.

Peter Vandenbempt

Anderlecht has lost its lead, but it has reasons to have a good feeling about the match at Union.

I thought it was the Purple & White’s best away match in these play-offs, one of the best matches tout court in this play-off.

Anderlecht started with courage and initiative. It looked completely different than on the field of Club Brugge or Racing Genk. Delaney and Ashimeru played a very good match, but unlike lesser matches, Anderlecht was not efficient yesterday. Otherwise it would have won the derby.

To be clear: I think the draw is a correct result. The final phase was in favor of Union, which put pressure and caused Anderlecht problems. Nilsson received a match ball, but did not use it.

Anderlecht now faces home matches against Genk and Club Brugge. Easier said than done, but if you win those matches, I don’t think you will lose it on the final match day (at the Bosuil).

Cercle Bruges

KRC Genk

Cercle Brugge is emerging as a very serious candidate for fourth place and European football. Unlike in many matches, the club played good football against Genk, with Lemaréchal as a standout.

At Club Brugge they will have already looked at the last match day. Will it be the derby for the title? They will find that very pleasant at Cercle.

The free fall of KRC Genk is quite inexplicable. The away games in Bruges in particular were dramatic. Genk made childish mistakes, they were easily trumped and the conviction from the first games remains untouched.

The volatility and mental fragility of this core is striking. Perhaps next summer there should be a thorough sweep of the player core? Just a new trainer will not be enough.