Football Season Guide

Major financial issues forced Antwerp yet again to use a small squad and develop their own youngsters. It wasn’t surprising that the season brought very little joy. Stayed way behind the top 6. Only the bottom 2 teams scored fewer than Antwerp’s 31 goals in the 30 regular-season matches. Slightly better play-off form, 4 wins in 10, didn’t change much. Sacked two managers last term, Wijs released in November and his replacement Oosting before the final game of the season. Start the new campaign with a new face at the helm. The major financial problems of the team meant star players had to leave to balance the books. Losing 5 of the regulars from last season will hurt. Only 5 new signings made so far, with 3 of those 18-year-old players that might not be ready for much more than supporting roles this season. The only experienced new arrivals are right-back Busi and striker Frey. The latter set to replace Janssen in attack. Right now it is unclear who will play in midfield. Two of the main stars in that zone Praet and Benitez are gone. No new midfielders have been signed. Had 4 Academy products with the senior squad in training camp. It seems at least two of them will be moved to the senior team permanently. Relying on 16-year-old Dierckx and 17-year-old Hamdaoui to start regularly in the middle of the park is a huge gamble. That said Antwerp might have no choice, they still have to sell players in the next year or two to avoid bankruptcy. It is shaping to be a season of pain for the Reds. However, some of their bright teenagers could benefit from a breakthrough campaign.