Anderlecht face a long and exhausting trip for the decisive Europa League qualifying playoff. The Brussels club will meet Kairat Almaty from Kazakhstan, with the first leg on 20 August in Almaty and the return at the Lotto Park on 27 August.
The consequence is clear: victory means a place in the new Europa League league phase, while defeat leads to a spot in the Conference League. "Anderlecht is assured of a European winter, but must make an exhausting trip next week," said sports journalist Sven Van Londersele. The club will depart on Tuesday to manage the nine-hour flight and six-thousand-kilometre distance, with a three-hour time difference.
The final hurdle to the league phase
This playoff is the final hurdle after eliminating PAOK in the previous round. Kairat Almaty dropped into this Europa League qualification after a loss in the Champions League qualifiers. Club Brugge also played in Kazakhstan against the same opponent last season, in the Champions League qualifiers. For Anderlecht, it is unfamiliar territory, both literally and figuratively.
The other Belgian clubs also know their fate. AA Gent must defeat Hibernian in the Conference League playoff, with the first leg at home on 20 August. STVV takes on Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League playoffs and is guaranteed European football into the winter, regardless of the result. Union SG, after a loss to Bodø/Glimt, goes directly to the Europa League league phase.
The calendar and the context
The draw for the Europa League league phase is on 28 August, with the first matchdays on 16 and 17 September. Club Brugge, as Belgian champions, is already directly qualified for the Champions League league phase, whose draw is on 27 August.
This European campaign coincides with a mixed start in the domestic league for Anderlecht. The club currently sits fifth in the Jupiler Pro League with thirteen points from seven games. Recent form is encouraging, however, with a 3-0 victory against Zulte Waregem last weekend, where Tawfik Bentayeb and Marten Winkler scored. The next league fixture is an away match against Cercle Brugge, who are seventeenth, on 10 October. The full schedule is available online, as is the current standings.
The trip to Kazakhstan is a logistical challenge, but the sporting reward is significant. A place in the Europa League league phase means more prestige, more revenue, and more European nights in Brussels. The return journey from Almaty will be decisive for Anderlecht's European path this season.
