Following RSC Anderlecht’s hard-fought 3-2 victory over PAOK in the UEFA Europa League, striker Adriano Bertaccini became the center of attention not just for his brief late-game substitution, but for the visible tears in his eyes as he went to salute the supporters. Teammates ultimately had to push the Italo-Belgian forward toward the stands to acknowledge the crowd, according to pitchside reports from sports journalists covering the fixture.
Bertaccini, who celebrated his 26th birthday on the evening of the match, has seen his playing time severely limited under head coach Vitor Bruno since arriving at the club. Compounding the speculation surrounding his mindset and future, the striker notably wiped his Instagram account clean of all Anderlecht-related photos—a move local reports attribute to superstition as he searches for a turn in his sporting fortunes.
Addressing the media after the final whistle, Anderlecht manager Vitor Bruno offered direct context regarding his player’s emotional reaction on the pitch. Bruno acknowledged that the combination of a birthday and professional frustration created a heavy moment for the forward. Ludwig Augustinsson was among the teammates seen offering physical comfort and an embrace to Bertaccini on the turf following the dramatic European encounter.
Vitor Bruno Addresses Bertaccini’s Emotional Reaction
Coach Vitor Bruno did not shy away from questions regarding the striker’s visible distress when speaking to press outlets following the 3-2 win. According to Bruno, managing a large squad requires difficult decisions that inevitably leave certain players on the sidelines, even on milestone days like birthdays.
“Adriano was emotioneel, ja. Het was zijn verjaardag en dan spelen er al eens mixed emotions op,” Bruno explained to reporters when asked about the incident. The manager emphasized that while competition for minutes is fierce, a player’s mental well-being remains a top priority for the technical staff.
“Natuurlijk wil elke speler 90 minuten spelen, maar ik moet keuzes maken,” Bruno continued. “Maar Adriano is naast voetballer ook een mens. Hij moet zich goed voelen, ook naast het veld. Dat is ook héél belangrijk.”
Limited Minutes and Superstition Surround the Forward
Since joining the squad, the 26-year-old attacker has struggled to secure a consistent role in Bruno’s starting lineups, often finding himself limited to brief substitute appearances near the end of regulation time.
Speculation among supporters has also been fueled by Bertaccini’s digital footprint. Known to be deeply superstitious, the forward removed all images associated with RSC Anderlecht from his official Instagram profile—a gesture interpreted by observers as a symbolic purge in anticipation of better sporting days ahead. Despite these off-field whispers, his teammates demonstrated unity on the pitch, physically steering him toward the supporters’ section so he could share in the post-match celebrations after securing vital continental points.
Anderlecht’s European Campaign Continues
The dramatic victory over PAOK keeps Anderlecht’s momentum alive in the current European campaign, allowing the club and its supporters to celebrate a crucial group-stage success despite individual tensions within the locker room.
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