OTHER Anderlecht will determine who becomes champion in the Belgian league this and next weekend with respective home games against Union and Club Brugge. It still plays for third place itself, but in terms of European tickets, that doesn't really make a difference. So: prefer the neighbors from Sint-Gillis or the archrival from Bruges?
After the lost cup final, Anderlecht will certainly be out for revenge against Bruges. But also against Union they lost so many times the last few years that Anderlecht is keen on a win.
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Continue reading “Seeing your neighbors become champions is anything but pleasant,” Silvio Proto said about that. Union is not likely to become the most successful club in Belgium or Brussels, but it can at least temporarily take over the scepter from purple-white. On top of that, the club from Sint-Gillis also collects Champions League million and works on a new stadium and infrastructure. In that case, purple and white must be very careful not to be overtaken financially by their yellow and blue neighbors.
If it becomes Club Brugge, an already large gap threatens to become enormous. Ten years ago, Anderlecht and Club were fairly evenly matched in terms of budget and transfer revenues. But since then, the gap grew significantly. The renewed Champions League didn't hurt the West Flemish either. They were able to cash in solidly, thanks in part to the fine track they took. New Champions League participation (which in principle can also still be done via preliminary rounds if they come second) would make the gap with Anderlecht so big that it would be impossible to close in the first decade. On top of that, Club is also close to a new stadium which will further increase their commercial revenues.
Anderlecht will undoubtedly try to win twice, but it will be left without a prize and is once again one of the big losers of the league this season. So with relatively limited budgets (due to the European preliminaries we are not sure of European revenues), Renard will have to work wonders in the transfer market and get both young promising players and experienced men if we want to play a significant role next season.... And Union and Club Brugge will in all likelihood not weaken.
