RSCA will play its third cup final in five years on Thursday. Yari Verschaeren experienced the previous editions from very close up, he started both in 2022 against KAA Gent and last year against Club Brugge for the Mauves. Will it be third time lucky for Yari against Union Saint-Gilloise? A conversation with Sporting's number 10, who could help RSC Anderlecht win its tenth Belgian Cup.
How are you feeling on the eve of the cup final?
“The feeling is good. We’re coming off a difficult match against KAA Gent, but we still managed to finish it in a fairly positive way by taking a point despite being a man down. I think we’re heading into the final full of confidence. I feel that everyone is really looking forward to it.”
How special are matches like a cup final for you?
“Extremely special. Everything is decided in one match, so it’s completely different from the league. Everyone has been looking forward to it for a long time, ever since we knew we would be in the final. It’s good that it’s finally here. I think it will be a special day for everyone in the squad.”
What are your memories of the previous two finals?
“Well… considering the outcome, they obviously aren’t great memories, but the atmosphere on those days was incredible. Our supporters turned out in huge numbers. It was amazing to see, and we definitely felt it too. I hope we can get over the line this time and finally come away with a good feeling.”
How does the experience from those previous finals help you ahead of this match?
“As I said earlier, it’s just one game. Everything is decided in ninety minutes and anything can happen. It’s not a league format. I think we now have enough experience as a group to know how to handle these situations, even when things aren’t going well during the game. We now understand better how to make the most of certain moments.”
How much is this final living within the group?
“Everyone is focused on it, you can really feel it within the group. Even during the cup run, in all the cup matches, there was always that special feeling. It feels different from the league. You feel like there’s more at stake in every game, and Thursday will be exactly the same. If you win it, you go home with so much. Everything depends on that match, and you can definitely feel that.”
What role did the match against Antwerp play in shaping that feeling?
“Yes, it sparked something within the group. I think a lot of people no longer believed before the match that we could turn it around. Going to Antwerp needing to overturn a 0-1 loss from the first leg isn’t easy. But as a group we responded incredibly well. We were going through a very difficult period at the time, especially after the coach was dismissed. In the end, we earned that victory against Antwerp together, and now we’re in the final.”
What would be your dream scenario on Thursday?
“The only thing that matters to me is winning that match. Whether we go 1-0 up quickly or fall behind and come back - it doesn’t matter. I just want to have won when the final whistle blows.”
How do you prepare yourself during the week leading up to the cup final?
“On the one hand, it’s obviously a very special match, different from league games. On the other hand, you still have to approach it in the same way as every other match, with the ambition to win. Of course, everyone is that little bit extra motivated to give everything. You only get one chance - once the match is over, it’s done. You either win or lose. With the experience from the previous two finals that I and other players in the squad have already played, we should be able to achieve a great result together.”
What role do the supporters play in all of this?
“A huge role. I think even during league matches we already notice how much influence the fans can have. Even in difficult moments, when things aren’t going well on the pitch, as a player you still feel that everyone is behind you. No matter what is happening. And when we’re leading, we need to make the opponent feel like they have no chance of getting back into the game. In that respect, the fans will have a massive impact.”
You already won many trophies with RSCA’s youth teams. What would a trophy with the first team mean to you?
“It would mean really much to me. I’ve been playing for the first team for eight seasons now, and winning a trophy is something I’ve been chasing for a long time. I’ve already come close twice in the cup and once in the league. I hope all the puzzle pieces fall into place on Thursday and that I finally win that first trophy.”
