Football Season Guide

KAA Gent failed to defend their title last season but the Buffalos can be partially satisfied with the amazing run in the Champions League and the third place in the final standings. Coach Vanhaezebrouck failed to balance the squad’s rotation properly once the Buffalos qualified for the elimination stages in Europe and actually the serious tiredness proved to be the main reason why Gent didn’t finish higher. Still the Buffalos established themselves as a major player in Belgium with the two amazing years they had and everyone is looking forward to the new campaign. Vanhaezebrouck started building new squad as early as January and now even if some of the impressive regulars are tempted by offers from abroad Gent have plenty of options. Of course, Gent continued to strengthen their squad in the summer and after having an amazing impact with Charleroi last season Perbet is now expected to lead Gent’s attack if Depoitre leaves. Ndongala also arrived from Charleroi to strengthen the right wing, while Rinne is likely to be the new main goalkeeper after Sels completed a multi-million transfer to Newcastle. Mitrovic made his stay permanent which suggests that he will be the regular partner of Nielsen in the heart of the defence, while Foket and Asare will be the full-backs when the formation is 4-2-3-1, but the more used one is likely to be 3-4-2-1 and in it they play as wing-backs and Gershon starts as a third centre-back. So far Sels is the only major departure but the likes of Kums, Depoitre, Dejaegere and Renato Neto are all attacked with offers from abroad and the coming weeks will decide their destiny. At least for now Kums and Neto are the likely starters in the heart of the midfield, but all of Schoofs, Van der Bruggen and Zolotic are also options. Down the wings Gent had impressive options even before Ndongala’s arrival and he will be competing with the likes of Wikheim, Matton, Milicevic, Dejaegere, Simon and Saief for playing time. Up front the lone striker role will be contested by Depoitre, Coulibaly and newcomers Perbet and Kujovic. With so many options all over the pitch the only weakness that can be seen is in the full-back positions as Foket and Asare don’t have quality replacements at the minute, but in a few friendlies Ndongala and Saief were used in these positions and maybe they will be the cover options.