Antwerp vs Shakhtar: introducing opponents
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
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Shakhtar are to meet with Antwerp on the Champions League group stage MD2
October 4, Antwerp, Bosuilstadion, 19:45
Live broadcast will be available on Megogo
History and path to the UCL
Antwerp has the reputation of the oldest football club in Belgium. Founded in 1880 in the city of the same name, it was the first club that registered in the association and received the corresponding number 1, featured on its crest. During their 143-year history, the Antwerp side became the champions of Belgium 5 times (1929, 1931, 1944, 1957, 2023), won the Belgian Cup 4 times (1955, 1992, 2020, 2023), 1 national Super Cup (2023), as well as became the holders of the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (1993).
Previous season was the most triumphant for the club that achieved the treble by collecting all the domestic trophies and winning the gold medals of the Belgian Pro League for the first time in 66 years. In addition, the Reds did it in an incredible denouement: they pulled out the title from Genk in the last seconds of their face-to-face clash in the final round of the championship. Thanks to this, Antwerp qualified for the Champions League for the second time in their history.
Squad and leaders
Antwerp head coach is 46-year-old Mark van Bommel, who is managing the team for the second season. The Dutchman, known for his performances for Barcelona, Bayern and Milan during his playing career, has worked as a coach with PSV and Wolfsburg. The captain and the most famous player of Antwerp is 34-year-old defender Toby Alderweireld (it was his goal that brought the club the title last year). We can also note the longstanding French goalkeeper Jean Butez who played all 52 matches in the previous season and 13 in the current one. The leader of attack of the Reds is 29-year-old Dutchman Vincent Janssen: he became the top scorer of the team last year (21 goals and 6 assists) and remains the most prolific player this season (6 goals). According to transfermarkt, 18-year-old midfielder Arthur Vermeeren, whose value is estimated at EUR 17 million, is considered the most expensive footballer in the current squad.
Start of the 2023/24 season
Antwerp started the new season by winning the Belgian Super Cup, defeating Mechelen in penalty shootout. The Belgians beat Greek AEK twice (1-0 at home and 2-1 away) in the Champions League qualifiers in August and advanced to the group stage of the tournament for the first time. Van Bommel's men had to make their debut in an away match against Barcelona where they suffered a crushing defeat (0-5). Antwerp have 3 wins, 5 draws and 1 loss. They are sitting in the 5th spot with 14 points (goal difference: 13-4) after 9 rounds of the Belgian league. An interesting fact that the last 3 matches of the Reds ended with the same score – 0-0.
Stadium and referees
Antwerp play at the Bosuilstadion built exactly 100 years ago and reconstructed in 2020. The capacity of the arena is 16,144. The match will be officiated by the judging panel from Slovenia headed by Rade Obrenovic.
Match background
Shakhtar and Antwerp will meet for the first time.
Live broadcast will be available on Megogo
History and path to the UCL
Antwerp has the reputation of the oldest football club in Belgium. Founded in 1880 in the city of the same name, it was the first club that registered in the association and received the corresponding number 1, featured on its crest. During their 143-year history, the Antwerp side became the champions of Belgium 5 times (1929, 1931, 1944, 1957, 2023), won the Belgian Cup 4 times (1955, 1992, 2020, 2023), 1 national Super Cup (2023), as well as became the holders of the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (1993).
Previous season was the most triumphant for the club that achieved the treble by collecting all the domestic trophies and winning the gold medals of the Belgian Pro League for the first time in 66 years. In addition, the Reds did it in an incredible denouement: they pulled out the title from Genk in the last seconds of their face-to-face clash in the final round of the championship. Thanks to this, Antwerp qualified for the Champions League for the second time in their history.
Squad and leaders
Antwerp head coach is 46-year-old Mark van Bommel, who is managing the team for the second season. The Dutchman, known for his performances for Barcelona, Bayern and Milan during his playing career, has worked as a coach with PSV and Wolfsburg. The captain and the most famous player of Antwerp is 34-year-old defender Toby Alderweireld (it was his goal that brought the club the title last year). We can also note the longstanding French goalkeeper Jean Butez who played all 52 matches in the previous season and 13 in the current one. The leader of attack of the Reds is 29-year-old Dutchman Vincent Janssen: he became the top scorer of the team last year (21 goals and 6 assists) and remains the most prolific player this season (6 goals). According to transfermarkt, 18-year-old midfielder Arthur Vermeeren, whose value is estimated at EUR 17 million, is considered the most expensive footballer in the current squad.
Start of the 2023/24 season
Antwerp started the new season by winning the Belgian Super Cup, defeating Mechelen in penalty shootout. The Belgians beat Greek AEK twice (1-0 at home and 2-1 away) in the Champions League qualifiers in August and advanced to the group stage of the tournament for the first time. Van Bommel's men had to make their debut in an away match against Barcelona where they suffered a crushing defeat (0-5). Antwerp have 3 wins, 5 draws and 1 loss. They are sitting in the 5th spot with 14 points (goal difference: 13-4) after 9 rounds of the Belgian league. An interesting fact that the last 3 matches of the Reds ended with the same score – 0-0.
Stadium and referees
Antwerp play at the Bosuilstadion built exactly 100 years ago and reconstructed in 2020. The capacity of the arena is 16,144. The match will be officiated by the judging panel from Slovenia headed by Rade Obrenovic.
Match background
Shakhtar and Antwerp will meet for the first time.