ANTWERP
Still celebrating last season’s title
Last season was one to remember for the Reds, clinching their first Belgian league title in 66 years. It was a close run thing, though, with Antwerp only securing the crown at the death on the final weekend of the season. Without that stoppage-time equaliser from Toby Alderweireld in a 2-2 draw with Genk, Antwerp would not have prevailed.
How key was the retaining of midfielder Mandela Keita?
After moving to Antwerp on loan from OH Leuven early this year, the Belgian U21 defensive midfielder gave a string of storming performances during the run-in. Leuven rate the 21-year-old in the €10m bracket, which is a reasonable valuation for someone of his promise.
Who will replace outgoing centre-back Willian Pacho?
Antwerp appear to have pulled off a coup in signing Dortmund’s19-year-old stopper Soumaila Coulibaly on loan. The French U20 international saw a move to Burnley collapse earlier this summer.
Do they have sufficient firepower?
Dutch striker Vincent Janssen was the club’s top scorer last term with 21 goals in all competitions. But does the former Tottenham man have enough class to make hay in the Champions League? At the highest level he lacks physicality.
COACH
Mark van Bommel
Ex-midfielder at PSV, Barca, Bayern, Milan and the Netherlands.
KEY MAN
Jean Butez
Compiled 20 clean sheets in the league last season.
YOUNGSTER TO WATCH
Arthur Vermeeren
The 18-year-old midfielder plays with a maturity beyond his age.
YOUNG BOYS
Eyeing a birthday party
The Yellow-and-Blacks from Bern have been the pick of the Swiss crop for some time now, winning five of the past six championships. Their coach, Raphael Wicky, attributes much of their success to the “hunger” of his squad, and what better way to mark their125th anniversary than to spring a surprise or two in the Champions League?
Are prolific strikers Jean-Pierre Nsame and Cedric Itten automatic starters?
Between them, the pair netted 40 league goals in
