Ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash we approached two Anderlecht fan sites for their thoughts on the match. Our thanks go out to David Lamproye, from
www.Anderlecht-online.be and Bruno Mathay from
www.rsce.be for giving us a Belgian fan's perspective.
*David Lamproye
www.anderlecht-online.beBruno Mathay
www.rsca.beHow has the season been shaping up for you so far?David: We're ranked second at the moment. We've played a few good games at home, but we have also played a few terrible ones (away). I believe that the rotation system is the cause of a lot of problems. The players don't seem to play along, there is not much team spirit and it resulted in a few big mistakes of our goalkeepersBruno: second place, one point behind, but the gameplay isn't that superb though.
What are your expectations for this season in your domestic league?David: Champions! That is always our expectation. Bruno: Winning the league and cup, and get some champions league points as well.
Who are your biggest domestic rivals? Liege? Brugge?David: Well it depends ... this year it seems like Standard de Liège is our biggest sporting rival. For the Walloon fans (from the French speaking part of the country), Standard has always been the biggest rival. For the Flemish (dutch speaking part) fans, it's Brugge.Bruno: Normally Brugge, but this year Standard Liege.
Who do you think is your most important player(s)? David: A hard question, certainly because of the rotation system we use. There are always other players in the team. Every game, we have someone else who's being dominant. But I'm tempted to say Vincent Kompany, although he's been injured for a while now.Bruno: Kompany, Tihinen, Zetterberg, Baseggio, Jestrovic, Akin, ...
Your worst player(s)?David: Traoré (bench) and Zewlakow (bench). The weakest player in the line-up is probably Deschacht (left back), although his level of play is improving again. He played great games a few years ago, but had a set-back. In the last few games I noticed he's playing better and better again. Bruno: Deschacht (although he has his moments), Vanderhaegen (he is getting old and slow).
My second game in European competitions was watching Anderlecht at Anfield (1964) which we won 3-0. Do you have a particular memory of any previous meeting between our clubs? Say something that happened to you that day or a decision you disagreed with?David: Not really. I was born in 1982, so I don't have much memories of Anderlecht meeting Liverpool. I understand that Anderlecht were the first to play Liverpool in their all-red jerseys? Personally, I think Liverpool is a great club and I'm looking forward to the match. Unfortunately, we need the points desperately and it won't be easy for us beating Liverpool.Bruno: Hmmm nope, I don't remember actually!
Any young up and coming players in the squad that we might not know about?David: Kompany, Vanden Borre, Tioté, Legear, De Man.Bruno: Tioté, Guerk and Legaer.
What sort of line-up will Anderlecht put out against us? 4-5-1? 4-4-2?David: Certainly not a 4-5-1. I believe we'll play in a 4-4-2 formation, although our coach dares to change that. In the league, we play in a 4-3-3. On Chelsea it was more like a 4-1-4-1 (4 defenders and one extra defending midfielder who played right in front of the defence and behind the midfield). I believe we'll start with a 4-4-2, because it's the most balanced formation. Anderlecht won't dig themselves in in a home game. We never did and we never will. After all, our team is too technical which means that we can't rely on our defence for 90 minutes. We need to dictate the game to get the best performance.Bruno: I'd play 3-4-3, but i guess it will be a 4-4-2 in ball possession and a 4-5-1 when we're having troubles.
Do you have a favourite/best chant(s) and perhaps any that require an explanation?David:
Er staat een paard op het veld
Jajaaa, een paard op het veld
Woohoooo een paard op het veld
't Is Gert Verheyen!
You won't be hearing that on Wednesday, because it's against Gert Verheyen of Club Brugge. There is a Dutch song called 'Paard in the Gang' (horse in the hall) from André Van Duin. We changed it to 'Paar op het veld' (horse on the field). Below, you can find a translation of the song:
There is a horse on the field
Yeah yeah a horse on the field
Wooohooooo a horse on the field
It's Gert Verheyen!
It was introduced last year and was great when the whole stadium started singing it after we scored the 2-1 against Brugge.Bruno: Mauves Army
Where do you expect Anderlecht and Liverpool to finish in the group?David: I'm afraid Anderlecht will be eliminated in the group stage. We are in the toughest group, so we have no chance. About Liverpool? Hard to tell. I believe that Chelsea will win the group (unfortunately). I guess that Liverpool will end second and be eliminated in the quarter finals.Bruno: Liverpool quarter finals, Anderlecht who knows?
Which Liverpool player will you fear the most?David: Gerrard (injured now) and Cissé.Bruno: Gerrard, but he is out, so Morientes.
And your feelings on the new 'Spanish flavour' Liverpool. Senor 'Rafa' Benitez and our new latin recruits?David: Looks weird to have Spanish players in the English league. To me, both leagues are very different. Morientes is not paying off, but I have a lot of respect for Benitez. I don't think he's such a great coach, but he won the Champions League with Liverpool so I can't say anything else but "well done"! Bruno: Their influences ensure that Liverpool plays a more realistic kind of gameplay, and less the traditional kick and rush, which is good. But I think Benitez is overdoing it by buying only Latin players
Liverpool, as ever, are likely to field eleven full internationals, how may does your side contain?David: We have 10 internationals too Proto, Deschacht, Vanden Borre, Kompany (normally he won't be fit, but it's not sure yet), Vanderhaeghe, Goor and Mpenza are all in the Belgian national team. Wilhelmsson is a Swedish international, Jestrovic a Serbian, Tihinen a Finnish. The only one left is Zetterberg and he used to be a Swedish international in his younger years. Bruno: 10 and one U21 international.
Who are your most famous players past and present?David: Our most famous players in the past: Van Himst, Scifo, Lozano, Rensenbrink, Olsen, Coeck, Puis, Mermans, De Wilde, ...
Most famous player now: Serhat Akin, Pär Zetterberg, Vincent Kompany, Mbo MpenzaBruno: I guess Vincent Kompany and Christian Wilhelmsson.
Care to predict the score? Go on!David: No comment!Bruno: 1-0 to The Mighty Mauves.
What do you expect in the way of singing, etc from our away support?David: A lot! I know that the Liverpool fans have a great reputation when it comes to supporting their team. I hope you guys will do that in Brussels too. Many of our fans have a lot of sympathy and respect for Liverpool. Bruno: I have big expectation, I hope it will magificent!
Do we compare well and how do you rate the atmosphere at your ground?David: The atmosphere at our ground depends on the match. We are used to winning almost every game in our domestic league so the atmosphere in games against La Louvière for example is rather weak.
Anderlecht fans are also very critical. We expect to see only the best of our team. And we always want to be the best. Every defeat is a huge disappointment, even if we play against Chelsea or Madrid or Liverpool or .... The atmosphere will be good on Wednesday, because the Champions League will give our fans something extra. Bruno: Liverpool is very famous for its superb atmosphere, certainly at home. I hope to see this also in the Brussels game.
Can you recommend any good bars or restaurants for us to visit and any best avoided?David: There will be a zero tolerance maintained by the police. This is a result of the behaviour of the English fans during Euro2000 and because of the Everton hooligans that torched a few cars a few years ago in a friendly game (which we won). You'll be able to visit some bars around the stadium and if you come early enough, you could check out the center of Brussels (Grand Place etc). Avoid the suburbs of the city (Molenbeek, Schaarbeek) as there are a few dangerous and nasty neighbourhoods. Bruno: The Grand Place in Brussels is a good spot too hang around I guess, especially if you want to pay £7 for a coffee!
Apart from Mussels & Frites and the infamous SPROUT, tell us something unique about your City.David: Heh 
I don't live in Brussels. I live in Leuven. It's a city 30km east of our capital and the home of Stella Artois. It also has one of the biggest universities in Europe, so there is a great atmosphere in the town center. About Brussels: Don't forget to try our chocolate and beer! We're also famous for our hospitality and multi cultural society.
Personally, I dont think Brussels is our most cosy town. Brugge, Gent, Antwerp and Leuven are nicer if you ask me. The center of Brussels is nice, but expensive. The surrounding areas of the town are rather unpleasant, but I suppose it's the same in every major town across the globe.Bruno: Eddy Merckx, Tintin, Atomium, Anderlecht, Art Nouveau, Manneken Pis, etc...
On behalf of all our members of RAWK would like to thank both David and Bruno for an excellent set of answers. We hope to see some of our Belgian opponents on this thread both before and after the match.
© Wooltonian 2005