Football Season Guide

Turbulent last season but in the end managed to grab the last available visa for Europe. Inconsistent form and Leko’s departure halfway through the regular season to take charge of Club Brugge unsettled the Buffalos. Rik de Mil took charge after the winter break and the displays got better. Finished in the top 6. Never got close enough to the top 3 but still qualified for Europe. Needed penalties to do so in the decisive clash against Racing Genk. Landed two major players already this summer. Centre-back Burgess has been among the top players in the league for years. He should be the new cornerstone of the back line. Inner midfielder Benes comes from the German Bundesliga and is expected to feature a lot as the main anchor-man. This should free Delorge and Ito to operate in much more advanced attacking roles, where both have shown great promise in the past. Lost star winger Skoras, the other main departures were expected and mainly linked to loanees returning to their parent clubs. Skoras arrived only last winter though. Samoise was the regular before his arrival so he should resume his role now. Prolific striker Max Dean spent most of last season out injured. He was Gent’s top goalscorer just two years ago. If he can stay fit now the Buffalos should be scoring lots more goals. If anything the squad looks slightly improved already. With everyone healthy not many teams can field in as strong XI as Gent can.