But in the meantime, it’s good for morale to be at the top of the ranking. Here’s what we hadn’t seen for a long time.
Leader after the 1st day: as in 2010 against Eupen
In 2018, the 1-4 in Courtrai was not enough to start the championship in mind, since Genk had won 0-4 in Lokeren. You have to go back to the 2010-2011 season, after a 4-1 against Eupen (2 goals from Suarez, 1 from Legear and 1 from Boussoufa). The 1st place on the basis of the Goal-Everage is symbolic and perhaps temporary, but it gives hope and that is what the supporters needed.
5 goals (or more) in the 1st day: as in 2005 against Raal
Anderlecht who scores five goals in his season’s opening match, this had not happened since August 6, 2005, when the Mauves had even put six in La Louvière (6-0). It was the Grand Anderlecht with Kompany and Zetterberg. Since then, the first match in Jupiler Pro League has often been hesitant. We remember a 1-2 against Ostend in 2019, a 2-3 against Lokeren in 2013 and a 2-1 defeat in Ohl in 2011. Last season, Anderlecht had beaten Saint-Trond 1-0 but even Brian Riemer was embarrassed from the performance of his team.
A victory after 2 goals conceded: as in 2017 against Lokeren
Anderlecht’s great weakness in previous seasons was the mental aspect. As soon as Sporting conceded a goal, the team collapsed. And cashing two goals was downright fatal. Last season, Anderlecht collected two or more goals in 14 games. Assessment: 13 defeats and a draw. To find an example similar to Sunday-a victory despite two goals conceded-you have to go back to September 8, 2017 against Lokeren (3-2), a few months before the arrival of Coucke. Onyekuru and Teodorczyck had forgotten the 1-2 of Lokeren.
A 17 year old guy holder in the 1st match: as in 2019 with Doku
The public loves to discover talents of Neerpede in the first championship match. But either the kids go up when the victory is acquired, or they pierce later in the season. Nathan de Cat was kicked off in the first game. His predecessors are all future stars: Doku in 2019 at 17 years old (1-2 against Ostend), Tielemans in 2013 at 16 years old (2-3 against Lokeren), Vanden Borre in 2005 at 17 years old (6-0 against La Louvière), Babayaro in 1995 at 16 years old (3-0 in Alst) and Van Himst in 1960 at 17 years (0-7 and 2 goals Olympic Charleroi).
Opinion of the expert: de Cat who “aims at the title”, it seems naive, but he is right to dream
Two goals from a hazard in the 1st game: it had never happened
Another nice surprise: Thorgan Hazard’s five -star match, while the club asked questions about it given the preparation. Thorgan was not for nothing on the bench against Häcken last Thursday. But now, he has a hit against Westerlo and scored two goals in the first championship match, which is unprecedented for Hazard. He had never succeeded-he had scored one at the Lierse with Zulte Waregem in 2013 (1-2) and a counter Leverkusen with Dortmund in 2021 (5-2). But even Eden never scored twice in his first championship match. He only scored once in the opening match of the season: a penalty with Chelsea against West Ham in 2016. It is not surprising: he often came back from vacation with a little overweight and needed a certain time before regaining his level.
The first Canadian goal from Radzinski to Alost in 2001
Nathan Saliba did not miss his championship debut: the Canadian scored 5-2 barely two minutes after getting into the game. Who says Anderlecht, a Canadian and goals, obviously says Tomasz Radzinski. His latest goal for Sporting dates from May 20, 2001 in Alost (1-5). Saliba still has work if he wants to make up for the number of goals from his compatriot to Sporting: Radzinski scored 65 in three seasons.
Nilson Angulo’s first goal in Lotto Park
And then there is this formidable goal of Nilson Angulo, a shot rolled up in the 25 -meter skylight, seven minutes after the equalizing goal of Westerlo. Since his arrival in Anderlecht, on June 21, 2022, he had scored ten goals for Sporting … but never in the Lotto Park. Either, these were outside matches (as at Club Bruges and Standard), or – with the future – the match took place in the King Baudouin stadium.
Anderlecht: the club of Carl Hoefkens inquires for Mats Rits
