Anderlecht return to the Champions League after a six year gap. Ever the optimist, President Roger Vanden Stock says that it’s a good time to play AC Milan. He’s probably right as the Italians are at the beginning of team-building. Zlatan Ibrahomovic and Thiago Silva have left the club as part of Silvio Berlusconi’s austerity… Read More »
On Saturday, Charleroi met Mons in one of the infrequent Walloon derbies. Despite home advantage, Mons saw the honours go to Les Carolos who celebrated their new management. After years under Abbas Bayat – sacked 20 coaches, one of whom lasted one game – Charleroi have a new boss: local entrepreneur Fabien Debecq. Sporting matters… Read More »
Marc Wilmots used 15 players in the games with Wales and Croatia. Here’s my view of how the players fared in the two matches. Thibaut Courtois: Hardly tested in the two matches; made important saves and interventions when necessary. He’s there to stay. Guillaume Gillet: Superbly taken goal against Croatia but he’s not a full… Read More »
After two matches, Belgium are level on points with Croatia and Serbia at the top of the World Cup qualifying group. They had hoped for two victories – Wales in Cardiff, Croatia in Brussels – but it was not to be. A defensive error against Croatia, one that was almost repeated later in the game,… Read More »
Tonight Belgium play their most important game since they reached the World Cup finals in 2002. With one of the most valuable squads in world football and their players seemingly dominating the ubiquitous Premier League, it’s time for Belgium to show that they can become a leading football nation. Belgium have not qualified for a… Read More »
The Belgium team to play Wales in the first World Cup qualifier will be announced tomorrow and the competition for places is possibly keeping Marc Wilmots awake at night. The real pressure is in midfield. Assuming Belgium play 4-2-3-1, then there are no less than eight candidates for those five central roles: Chelsea’s Eden Hazard,… Read More »
Belgium’s first division is the Jupiler League but the second division shouldn’t be ignored. The latter has a new sponsor and from this season it is the Belgacom League. There are 18 clubs; 11 are Flemish, four are from Wallonia, two based in Brussels and one represents the German-speaking region of Belgium. The league is… Read More »
Anderlecht have qualified for the group stages of the Champions League for the first time for six years. Two late goals – from Dieumerci Mbokani and Sacha Iakovenko – sealed the victory and made sure it was party time at the Constant Vanden Stock stadium. In truth, no one understood what new coach John Van… Read More »
There are several reports today that both Aston Villa and Fulham are bidding for Racing Genk striker Christian Benteke. A figure of €7.5 million has been mentioned. This might be small change for a Premier League club but it’s a significant amount of money for a Belgian club. Racing Genk have an annual budget of… Read More »
Tonight Anderlecht play the return Champions League qualifying match against AEL Limassol. The first leg was won by the Cypriots 2-1 and new coach John van den Brom will be feeling the pressure that comes with coaching Belgium’s most media-intense club. The press and the Anderlecht President have reminded van den Brom that qualification for… Read More »