Jan Vertonghen’s injury is a small disaster in all respects for RSC Anderlecht. Thursday at Beerschot and Sunday against Club Bruges, David Hubert will have to bring out his magic to compose his defense.
We can no longer count on the presence of Mathias Zanka Jørgensen in Anderlecht. The 34-year-old Dane himself indicated that he preferred not to play any more in view of his transfer to LA Galaxy. The whistles during the last home match of the year, against Dender, left an indelible mark. He hasn’t even participated in training in recent days.
Zanka is no longer an option
Coach David Hubert must therefore restructure his defense again. The Brussels club urgently needs reinforcements, but they have not yet arrived. Vertonghen suffered a sprain during the first training of the year and will be out until at least mid-February.
A big blow for David Hubert. The Belgian record holder for selections had finally returned to the field after his Achilles tendon injuries, but his return to an official match is once again delayed.
Without Vertonghen and Zanka, Hubert must look for alternatives. Versatile Leander Dendoncker could once again be an option in central defense. He has already helped out in this position, but the two defeats which followed against Genk and Bruges did not spare him from criticism.
Quid de Ludwig Augustinsson?
With limited choices in central defense, Anderlecht is turning to youth. Nunzio Engwanda and Amando Lapage, Neerpede’s two talents, have already received their chance, but it is not certain that they will start in the important matches.
Although Engwanda seems ready to take on this role. But lining up two teenagers – Simic is only 19 – at the heart of the defense is not what Hubert has in mind. Moving Augustinsson in the axis therefore seems to become an option if the Dendoncker track is abandoned.
