KAA Gent set best league start in 25 years

KAA Gent have opened the Belgian league season with a perfect record for only the second time in the club’s 75-year history. The five wins give them 15 points from 15 and mark their best start in 25 years. The previous one came in 2001-02, when Gent eventually finished fourth, showing that an ideal opening does not guarantee a high final position.

The improvement has been built more on efficiency and defensive control than overwhelming attacking numbers. Gent have scored 10 goals in five matches, compared with six at the same stage last season, despite taking fewer shots and creating slightly fewer chances. They have conceded only twice, compared with eight after five rounds last year. Across all competitions, they have allowed five goals in 11 matches, and none have come from a corner or free-kick.

Rik De Mil’s team is also keeping the ball less, progressing more patiently and relying on shorter passing sequences. Their 1-0 win over OH Leuven came despite producing only one shot on target. The defensive change is collective rather than the work of one newcomer: El Bachir Ngom leads the three-man unit in duels, Siebe Van der Heyden contributes most to build-up play, while Christian Burgess combines the best passing accuracy with the greatest forward possession involvement. Gent have played a heavy schedule without much rotation, and sustaining this level will be difficult because their results have so far exceeded the underlying quality of their play more than any other team in the league.