INTERVIEWS The winter break comes at an unfortunate time for Anderlecht. The home defeat against Sporting Charleroi sees the Purple & White fall further behind their rivals Union, Club Brugge, and STVV in the standings. The year 2025 ends with a heavy hangover and a need for reflection. After the match, coach Besnik Hasi sent a clear message to the club's management: there is a need for more competition within the selection.
Charleroi managed to beat Anderlecht at Lotto Park, a rarity this season. Only Zulte Waregem had previously taken all three points from Brussels. For the Purple & White, it was a defeat with far-reaching consequences.
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Continue reading The home team started the match very sluggishly. What had already been a problem away from home in recent weeks was now repeated in front of their own fans. Charleroi took full advantage and took a two-goal lead through Camara and Guiagon. “We gave that match away in the first quarter of an hour,” Hasi said afterwards. “There was no intensity, no pressure, no fighting spirit. From the first minute, we weren't at our best.”
The coach referred to the long list of absentees – including Kana, Augustinsson, Camara, Stroeykens, and Huerta – but did not want to use that as an excuse. “That cannot be an excuse. I also see that many young players are physically exhausted.”
Just like a week earlier in Antwerp, Anderlecht was awarded a penalty after the break. Once again, it was Thorgan Hazard who scored from the spot. With an hour left on the clock, anything seemed possible, but the Purple & White failed to create any real threat. A header from Cvetkovic after a corner was the only noteworthy achievement.
“Normally, we can break the deadlock after the break, especially with our supporters behind us,” he said. “But we fell short in the second half too. We really wanted to win to go into the winter break with confidence, but we failed. Hopefully, some of the injured players will return after the break.”
Hasi also took a critical look at the composition of his selection. “We are reaching our limits both at the back and up front. The loss of several key players has made it difficult to organize defensively. And offensively... We are now expecting a lot from an 18-year-old to carry Anderlecht. That says it all. There is a need for more competition in several positions.”
