Dender ended the year in style with a 2-3 victory at Anderlecht. Vincent Euvrard’s men have had a magnificent few months.
Dender skin was not cheap at the start of the season. Even with the numerous summer reinforcements, the total value of the core only reached 16.9 million, less than Joel Ordóñez alone, the most bankable player in the Pro League estimated at 18 bricks.
The departure of Timmy Simons, architect of the D1B title, to join a team of Westerlo more ambitious, only confirmed the general impression. But the initial 4 out of 6 against Union and La Gantoise set the tone for a first part of the season well beyond expectations.
Since then, the surprise effect has subsided, but the promoted player continues to play his matches. After having already forced Anderlecht to draw in the first leg, Dender won 2-3 at Lotto Park. The men of Vincent Euvrard are only three points from the top 6, double the distance from the red zone.
Vanhaezebrouck takes off his hat
“Unlike other teams ranked lower, Dender has several attackers who can make the difference,” analyzes Hein Vanhaezebrouck for Het Nieuwsblad. On the Anderlecht pitch, it’s the supersub Bruny Nsimba who scored the winning goal. Last season, he had already planted 14 in D1B.
“In addition, the transfer of Aurélien Scheidler, by far Dender’s best acquisition this summer, is a real masterstroke” continues Vanhaezebrouck. The French striker on loan from Bari has an atypical but extremely valuable profile, he also put his name on the scoreboard against the Mauves.
Finally, the team’s weak point could be behind: “In defense, Dender still too often shoots itself in the foot with unnecessary ball losses and conceded goals.” If Vincent Euvrard manages to rectify the situation this winter, what second part of the season could the promoted players bring us?
