The Baseggio Plan: Saliba, Cvetkovic and a real project
WEDNESDAY, 20 MAY 2026, 20:40 - lajoya
OTHER Walter Baseggio was present on Sunday for the match against KV Mechelen. The former No. 10 of Anderlecht mainly felt a heavy, almost unreal atmosphere that reminded him of the dark days at the end of the 1990s. "I was sad.
I suffer as much as all purple-and-white supporters," he says. Although he himself has known difficult periods, Baseggio finds the current situation even more worrying. Back then Anderlecht, despite the turbulence — the Bosman ruling, the departure of Constant Vanden Stock, the Nottingham affair — always managed to recover. "Now it's been the same song for ten years... actually it never goes well," he stresses.
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Continue reading Baseggio understands the fans' anger but strongly condemns the excesses at the Heizel. "It is regrettable and damages Anderlecht's image," he says. He calls for an honest dialogue between all parties involved. For the former midfielder the priority is clear: stability in the sporting leadership. He argues that Antoine Sibierski should be allowed to work "for at least two years, regardless of the results," and stresses the importance of rediscovering a true Anderlecht DNA, both on the pitch and internally.
On the squad build-up Baseggio is clear: Saliba and Cvetkovic must become Sporting's pillars. He is pessimistic about keeping Nathan De Cat, whom he considers too expensive given the club's cash problems. Around Saliba he sees a strong defensive midfielder and a genuine No. 10. He also advocates a return to two strikers, at least at home. Walt also points to a lack of tactical structure and the uncertainty over where Hazard and Bertaccini should play. "I never managed to know where they had to play," he laments.
What follows promises to be hard, with a squad that will almost have to be rebuilt from scratch and the prospect — hopefully — of European qualifying rounds. "The summer will be hell again," he warns. But first STVV must be beaten. Baseggio calls on the crowd to get behind the team.
