INTERVIEWS On Saturday, Anderlecht faces another big match at Astridpark, with second place at stake. The Purple & White must recover from their painful 4-0 defeat at Westerlo, but no drastic measures were taken at Neerpede. No punitive training, no extra tough approach. “We discussed and analyzed everything, but without pointing fingers,” says coach Besnik Hasi.
Hasi remains surprised by his team's total off day. “We came off two excellent performances against Union and Genk. The group was full of energy. The training session the day before the match in Westerlo was also sharp. Everything felt normal until kick-off, but then everything went wrong. Even today, I can't say exactly why.”
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Continue reading Nevertheless, the coach deliberately opted for calm rather than repression. “Ten years ago, I would probably have immediately imposed extra training. But I've changed. You don't reach players that way anymore. Now I want to analyze in detail what went wrong, without singling out individual players. Hazard, Kana, and Augustinsson were missing, yes, but that's no excuse. The others deserve respect.”
On Saturday, Anderlecht faces another top match at the Astridpark, with second place at stake. The Purple & White must recover from their painful 4-0 defeat at Westerlo, but no drastic measures were taken at Neerpede. No punitive training, no extra tough approach. “We discussed and analyzed everything, but without pointing fingers,” says coach Besnik Hasi. “One bad match should not overshadow our growth.” Hasi is determined to put the defeat into perspective. “We have made enormous strides as a team in recent months. Look at De Cat, Saliba, Cvetkovic... Those guys are growing every week. We may lose once in a while, but commitment and mentality are non-negotiable. I expect a reaction against STVV, and it will come. You can feel it in this group.”
STVV in top form STVV comes to Brussels with confidence. The team from Haspengouw has already collected 15 out of 15 points and is nestled at the top of the rankings. “They are in a great flow,” Hasi acknowledges. “Their style of play is instantly recognizable: lots of energy, lots of running. Yamamoto keeps going, and Ito is perhaps the most intelligent player in the league.”
Goto blossoms... at another club Special point of interest: Keisuke Goto, owned by Anderlecht but on loan to STVV this season. The Japanese player has already scored five times — more than any Anderlecht striker. “A striker who scores exudes confidence,” says Hasi. “But I think above all that he feels comfortable at STVV, surrounded by compatriots. That dynamic was sometimes more difficult for us.”
There is no recall clause in his contract. “We could use some extra competition up front, that's true. But the decision about Goto is not mine to make. We are satisfied with his progress. If he returns after the season, he will start with a different status.”
