Anderlecht begin their European season on 23 July in the Europa League second qualifying round. The Purple & Whites must survive three rounds to reach the League Phase, a path that evokes memories of last summer's early exit.
Sport journalist Sven Van Londersele outlined the task. "Anderlecht must survive three qualifying rounds to reach a European League Phase," he said. The club is seeded in that second round, meaning potential opponents include FC Twente, Hammarby, Tromsø, Besiktas, and Sankt Gallen. A meeting with Benfica is ruled out at this stage.
Seeded status offers some protection, but that advantage could disappear in a potential third or fourth qualifying round. The road to the group stage is long and fraught with danger. A misstep this year is especially costly. "If eliminated in the Europa League qualifying rounds, they drop into the Conference League qualifiers," Van Londersele added. Should Anderlecht be knocked out there too, their European campaign would end in the summer.
The need to start strongly is clear after the disappointments against Häcken and AEK Athens. Current domestic form provides confidence. Anderlecht sit fifth in the Jupiler Pro League with 13 points from seven games and a goal difference of plus two. The recent 3-0 home win against Zulte Waregem, with goals from Tawfik Bentayeb and a brace from Marten Winkler, underlined their attacking threat. The full standings show they are six points behind leaders Union St. Gilloise.
Before focus fully shifts to Europe, an important league fixture awaits. On 10 October, Anderlecht travel to face Cercle Brugge, currently in 17th place. That confrontation, is a chance to maintain momentum after a mixed run of three wins, one draw, and one loss in their last five league matches. The squad available for that task can be seen in the squad overview.
The early start to European qualifying on 23 July sets the tone for a key summer. Anderlecht aim to avoid costly past mistakes and secure their place in the League Phase.
This story first appeared at hln.be
