RSC Anderlecht stays in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, until Thursday 8 January. The winter training camp in southern Spain is intended as the ideal build-up to the important cup match against AA Gent. From a South American get-together to a shirt paradise: five facts about the winter camp of the Mauves.
Opportunities for youth players
Goalkeeper Matthis Seghers (16), forward Joshua Nga Kana (16) and defender Basile Vroninks (19) are three youth players getting the opportunity to gain experience with the first team during this winter camp. Alongside Anas Tajaouart (20), Elyess Dao (19) and Ibrahim Kanaté (19), the next generation is already knocking firmly on the door of the first team. And, of course, there is also Nathan De Cat (17).
Surprise visit
On Tuesday afternoon, a pleasant South American get-together suddenly took place. Federico Gattoni paid a visit - obligatory Yerba Maté in hand - to his former teammates. The Argentine defender played the second half of the 2023-24 season on loan at RSC Anderlecht. Gattoni currently plays for Sevilla FC and stopped by to catch up with, among others, Luis Vázquez and Nilson Angulo.
Shirt paradise
For head coach Besnik Hasi, Jerez de la Frontera is familiar territory. In fact, a shirt bearing his signature hangs in the dressing room at the training ground. The 2002 squad - featuring Glen De Boeck, Aruna Dindane, Nenad Jestrovic and Hannu Tihinen - also held a winter training camp in southern Spain in January 2003. Under the guidance of Hugo Broos, Anderlecht finished that season in second place and reached the round of 16 of the UEFA Cup.
The RSCA shirt is in distinguished company. The hotel walls are adorned with true gems from clubs such as Real Madrid, Manchester United, Atlético Madrid and the Argentine national team.
Team building with winners… and losers
This winter camp’s team-building activity was organized by the physical coaches and medical staff. Players completed a mapped-out cycling course with various tasks along the way - each successfully completed task earned them eggs. The players with the most (intact) eggs at the end of the ride won the challenge. The team consisting of Verschaeren, Bertaccini, Ilic, Saliba, Ndiaye, Seghers and Taravel emerged victorious. The losers, including Llansana, Angulo and Camara, must either jump into the (rather cold) swimming pool or sing in front of the entire group before the end of the camp. Time will tell which it will be.
PSG women’s team
RSC Anderlecht is sharing the training facilities with the PSG women’s team. Paris Saint-Germain Féminines are also holding their training camp in Jerez de la Frontera - an ideal way to escape the snowfall in Belgium and France.
