Thomas Letsch has announced Vitesse’s line-up for the first meeting with Anderlecht in the play-offs of the Conference League. Oussama Tannane returns to the match selection, but is on the reserve bench. Riechedly Bazoer was injured last weekend in the away match against PEC Zwolle (0-1 win), but starts ‘normally’. The duel with the Belgians comes too early for Danilho Doekhi. He is still recovering from an injury. The game between Anderlecht and Vitesse starts on Thursday evening at 8 p.m.
In addition to Bazoer, Eli Dasa also starts in the base, while Million Manhoef is missing due to minor complaints. The Israeli Dasa had to miss part of the preparation due to injuries, but came in against PEC twenty minutes before the end. Doekhi and Jacob Rasmussen are still injured, while Lois Openda and Romaric Yapi are missing due to suspension. Openda received a red card in the final minute in the home game against FC Dundalk and is serving his second of two suspensions against Anderlecht. Tannane suffered an injury during the first meeting with the Irish, but has therefore recovered in time for the Anderlecht meeting. Oussama Darfalou and Nikolai Baden Frederiksen are the strikers of the Arnhem team.
During the closing press conference, Letsch refused to be impressed by Anderlecht. “Anderlecht has a great history, but we are also very well aware of where we are now,” said the German. “History doesn’t count during the game. We are very happy to be here, but we want to play more games in Europe.” If Vitesse manages to deal with Anderlecht in two matches, it will qualify for the group stage of the Conference League and will be assured of six European matches. In addition, the club may add 2.94 million euros as starting money when participating in the third European club tournament.
At Anderlecht there has been a lot of talk about Joshua Zirkzee in recent days. The striker came over from Bayern Munich on a rental basis and immediately impressed with two goals on his debut against Cercle Brugge (1-2 win). The second in particular, a shot from a long distance into the roof of the goal, was accompanied by the necessary beauty. Vincent Kompany prefers Francis Amuzu over Yari Verschaeren on the right. Wesley Hoedt also starts from the beginning. The centre-back came over from Southampton this summer and signed a contract until 2025, after playing on loan for Lazio Roma last season.
Anderlecht line-up: Van Crombrugge; Murillo Bermudez, Delcroix, Hoedt, Sergio Gomez, Amuzu, Cullen, Olsson, Refaelov; Zirkzee, Raman
Set-up Vitesse: Schubert; Dasa, Bazoer, Oroz, Hajek, Wittek; Bero, Gboho, Tronstad; Darfalou, Fredriksen