After last Sunday’s cup final, the Brussels Derby is already on the agenda this Saturday. At home, the Mauves have the chance to take another step toward securing a European ticket. “As a team, we are obliged to give everything,” said Besnik Hasi the day before the match. Watch his full press conference on Mauve TV.
On Saturday evening, RSCA will host local rivals Union Saint-Gilloise at the Park. A win in the Brussels derby would mathematically secure fourth place for the Mauves. Securing the European ticket—with two matchdays to go—would of course be welcome, but the coach isn’t focused on that. “With the current system, it’s hard to predict what kind of ticket you’ll get. The only thing I care about and want to see is progress from my players.”
That progress has been noticeable in recent weeks. RSC Anderlecht has taken 10 out of a possible 12 points and could, for only the second time in its history, win four consecutive games in one Play-off I campaign. In 2014, when Besnik Hasi took over from John van den Brom, Sporting even managed five wins in a row. Matching—or surpassing—that record won’t be easy. “We started the play-offs poorly against the three teams we now face again,” Hasi noted. “Now we’re playing at home against Union Saint-Gilloise, a club we’ve struggled to beat in recent years. So we must go onto the pitch with a certain sense of revenge.” Last season, the Mauves did manage to beat their neighbors at home: it ended 2-1 in the play-offs thanks to goals by Kasper Dolberg and Francis Amuzu.
Besnik Hasi can once again count on Adryelson for the Brussels Derby. “He trained almost fully this week and rejoined the squad.” Will the loanee start right away? “We have full confidence in the Hey-Simić duo. They are the future of our central defense, but of course, they must keep performing.” Jan Vertonghen won’t feature against Union after the cup final, “but I believe there’s a good chance he’ll still play in the play-offs.”
Nathan De Cat became the youngest goalscorer in the league since Julien Duranville in 2022 with his goal against Antwerp, and could become the youngest player to score in two consecutive JPL matches since Romelu Lukaku. But it’s still unclear whether he’ll play again this season for the Mauves. “Nathan has been called up for the U17 European Championship with Belgium and naturally wants to go, which I fully understand.” The Young Devils face England on May 20 and will also play Italy and the Czech Republic in the group stage. “My plan was to give him a place in the starting eleven; so far, we’ve only brought him on in difficult moments. We all believe in his abilities, so if that step doesn’t come now, it definitely will next season.” The young midfielder will still be part of Hasi’s squad for tomorrow.
Whether Nathan will start the Brussels Derby remains to be seen. Kick-off on Saturday, May 10 at 8:45 PM at Lotto Park.