AEK Secures Play-Off Spot in Conference League, Set to Face Anderlecht
AEK successfully overcame Aris Limassol in a thrilling extra-time victory (3-1), booking their place in the Conference League play-offs. Their next challenge is the Belgian side Anderlecht, a team with a rich history and a competitive squad. Below is an in-depth look at Anderlecht’s profile ahead of this crucial encounter.
Anderlecht: A Comprehensive Overview
2024/25 Season Recap
Anderlecht concluded the 2024/25 Belgian Pro League season without mounting a serious title challenge, finishing 20 points behind champions Union Saint-Gilloise and 17 points adrift of runners-up Club Brugge. Despite this, they reached the Belgian Cup final, narrowly losing 2-1 to Club Brugge. On the European stage, Anderlecht advanced to the Europa League play-off round but were eliminated by Fenerbahçe, falling short of the round of 16.
Leadership and Coaching
The team is managed by Besnik Hasi, a familiar figure in European football who previously coached Olympiacos in 2017. The 53-year-old Albanian took charge of Anderlecht on March 20, 2025. Since his appointment, his record stands at six wins, one draw, and eight losses. Under Hasi’s guidance, Anderlecht was knocked out of the Europa League second qualifying round by BK Häcken, with an aggregate score of 6-4 (1-0 home win, 6-3 away loss).
Key Player Spotlight: Kasper Dolberg
Leading Anderlecht’s attack is Kasper Dolberg, a Danish international with 55 caps. Dolberg is the team’s primary goal threat, having netted 24 goals in 45 appearances last season. Notably, he scored twice against Häcken in the Europa League qualifiers, underscoring his importance to the squad’s offensive output.
Transfer Activity and Squad Reinforcements
Anderlecht has been proactive in the transfer market, securing seven new players to strengthen their roster. Among the notable signings is defender Yasin Özkan, acquired on loan from Aston Villa. The club also invested heavily in forwards Mihail Cvetkovic (€3.2 million from Čukarički) and Adriano Bertaccino (€5 million from Sint-Truiden). Midfield reinforcements include Elie Kamara (€4.5 million from Standard Liège) and Enric Lansana (€1 million from Go Ahead Eagles), reflecting Anderlecht’s ambition to bolster both attack and midfield depth.
Home Ground: Lotto Park
Anderlecht’s home matches are played at Lotto Park, a historic stadium in Brussels originally opened in 1918 as Stade Émile Versé, named after industrialist Émile Versé. Between 1983 and 1991, the stadium underwent a complete reconstruction and was renamed Stade Constant Vanden Stock in honor of the club’s then-president. In 2012, renovations aligned the venue with UEFA standards, reducing its capacity to 21,500 seats to enhance safety and comfort for spectators.