On Saturday afternoon, we had a déjà-vu. With only 15 minutes left on the clock, our Kemphians were in complete control of the game, spiced with a two-goal lead. Ten minutes later, the scenario was completely reversed and we finally had to go to the dressing room with no points. Exactly one year ago, Malinois did the same against us. Back up and on to the next.

KVC Westerlo

The standings don’t lie. Football consists of taking points, the way is of secondary importance. You can bring good football, you can create enough chances and you can score enough goals. But the standings are made whether you win, draw or lose a game. A good start is important, but how you finish after the final matchday is even more important. As an optimistic Kemphaan, I will give you an example. Most of you will not know Wisla Plock. They led proudly last season from matchday 1 to matchday 8 in the Polish Ekstraklasa, the highest football division in that country. They scored fluently and hardly gave up any goals. At the end, they were relegated. Bredero said “t can change” in any direction.

My previous prediction – in terms of the starting eleven against KV Mechelen – had fully come true. Tuur Rommens made his debut in the starting line-up instead of the injured Jordan Bos and Chadli and Van Eenoo brought more experience to the team. What plan our coach has in mind against stiff Cercle Brugge, we will know on Saturday.

Did you know?

• We have to play in light blue, because the Bruges goalkeepers only have full yellow and full black kit.
• Our striker Matija Frigan takes the plane the day after the match, to join Croatia’s national A-team for the very first time.
• Lucas Stassin plays with the number 76 and that this is the year of his dad’s birth. Although he himself says this is purely coincidental.
• Lukas Van Eenoo is taking Spanish lessons and can already speak quite a bit of Spanish to Josimar Alcocer.
• Edi Jordanov’s wife is pregnant.

Cercle Brugge

Cercle’s statistics are pretty clear in their already five games played. They prefer to leave the ball to the opponent, both away and at home. Playing in their own half, they barely (288x) pass to each other.  The ball goes straight over the halfway line and there they fight the duel, in which they are supreme. No less than 378 duels they have won, 247 over the ground and 131 in the air. Miron Muslic, the Bosnian-Austrian coach is a true gentleman at heart. Even if you are from the rival team, he will greet you kindly. At press conferences, he does not stir the pot or have to search for the right words. He has turned the Cercle into a winning team. In 38 matches, he achieved an average points tally of 1.76 and suffered only 9 defeats, against teams such as: Union, AA Gent (2x), Anderlecht, Antwerp (2x), KRC Genk, Charleroi and … KVC Westerlo. Olivier Deman also became a Red Devil under his reign and the name of captain Somers has already been mentioned in the media as well.

The likely squad will consist of goalkeeper Warleson, defenders Siquet, Popovic, Daland and Ravych, midfielders Lopes, Van der Bruggen, Somers and Deman and the duo Gboho and Denkey as the most attacking pawns. Of the five goals already scored, Somers and Denkey both scored twice and Ecuadorian substitute Alan Minda also managed to shake the nets.

Referee

• Nathan Verboomen
• 35 years old
• Bachelor in physical education
• Affiliated club: VC Bertem-Leefdal
• Professional since 2010
• FIFA Referee since 2019
• 244 matches
  • 18 matches for Cercle Brugge
  • 6 matches for KVC Westerlo
  • 1st time Cercle Brugge vs KVC Westerlo

Text and statistics: Peter Boons