De vitor Bruno effect reignites anderlecht’s Lotto Park

Vitor Bruno’s first match in charge of Anderlecht turned the tide against Hammarby, as the Belgian side produced a 3‑1 comeback at Lotto Park to secure qualification for the next Europa League round, a revival that fans recognized even before the kickoff.

Before the kickoff against Hammarby it was clear that Anderlecht had appointed a trainer with a completely different look from his predecessors. Ninety minutes later that feeling was fully confirmed.

Vitor Bruno coached, directed, celebrated, analysed and, above all, set Lotto Park alight again. The board had been looking for exactly that this summer.

The first half was far from convincing. Anderlecht played too slowly, lost many duels and walked into the dressing room with a deficit. From the stands came discontent and the whistles were deafening.

After the break the atmosphere changed completely. A rapid equaliser from Lukas Sikan and a much more aggressive Anderlecht saw the Lotto Park crowd massively back the team. The second half ended in a 3‑1 victory and qualification for the next Europa League round.

After the match Bruno explained, "It wasn’t so much the strikers in the first half, but the boys behind them. If you want to press, you must do it as a team. In the second half we collectively pressed higher and there was much more connection between the lines. I can only be satisfied with that second half."

He also praised the supporters, saying, "The fans were fantastic. I want to see that every match. But that will also depend on us. If we show the right energy and intensity, they will always be behind us."

The Portuguese coach never stood still, constantly coaching, adjusting players and living each phase intensely. When Nathan De Greef scored the third goal, Bruno could not contain his emotions, sprinted onto the pitch to celebrate with his players and later danced on the spionkop, thanking the supporters.

Those scenes are rare at Lotto Park. At the post‑match press conference Bruno appeared calm and analytical, speaking about collective agreements, pressing and team dynamics rather than individual heroes.

It is precisely this total package that Anderlecht sought after last season: a coach with a clear football vision, sideline energy, the ability to rally supporters and a relentless drive to improve his players.

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