Vítor Bruno selects Sikan, Cvetkovic for Anderlecht in Kazakhstan

Vítor Bruno has named Sikan and Cvetkovic in the starting eleven as RSC Anderlecht travel to Almaty, Kazakhstan for their Thursday 17:00 Belgian time Europa League first‑leg against KAIRAT, a tie that decides a place in the League Phase of the competition.

Starting line‑ups revealed

KAIRAT’s ALMATYOpstelling features Anarbekov between the posts, a back four of Kasabulat, Shirobokov, Africo and Mata, and a midfield of Baibek, Oksanen, Mrynskiy and Mendonca supporting forwards Jukkola and Gual. Anderlecht line‑up shows Coosemans in goal, a defence of Maamar, Biancone, Pétrot and N’Diaye, midfielders Kana and Llansana, and an attack with Ambros, Sikan, Nga Kana and Cvetkovic.

The Invallers for KAIRAT include Buch, Kalmurza, Nurgaliev, Tapalov, Sadybekov, Abish, Tuyakbaev, Bekbolat and Edmilson, while Anderlecht’s bench lists Heekeren, Keita, Augustinsson, Vroninks, Saliba, Onia Seke, Degreef, Antman, Winkler and Bertaccini.

Geblesseerd players for KAIRAT are Jorginho, and for Anderlecht the list reads Hey, Camara and Sardella, with no yellow cards recorded for either side.

Form and Europa League stakes

"We do not consider ourselves favorites, it will be a difficult match," said Vítor Bruno during his press moment. "Kairat is a solid team. They played last season Champions League, so we must not underestimate them. I know some players, especially forwards Marc Gual and Edmilson, whom I have already seen working. I also know Luis Mata, whom I could observe in Portugal. We will try to impose our playing style and achieve a good result," he added.

NEC misses Champions League bonus but eyes Europa League points

Lukas Ambros commented on the pitch, "I didn’t know there was a concert on this field. We have already been there and looked at the condition of the grass: it is satisfactory. But it is true that there are a few small spots where the grass is not of the best quality."

Anderlecht are looking to bounce back after a 1‑0 defeat to SK Beveren in the domestic league, while KAIRAT enjoy seven consecutive wins at home but have slipped from the Champions League qualifiers to the Europa League playoffs.

The return leg is scheduled for Thursday 27 August at 21:00 in Lotto Park. Anderlecht arrived after a nine‑hour flight, landed in Almaty and headed straight to the hotel, marking the first time a Belgian side has played a European match so far from home, near the Chinese border.

Marten Winkler, who joined the squad yesterday, is also in the selection. The German winger, formerly of Hertha BSC, recorded one goal and two assists in his first two matches for his previous club.