Ilay Camara is, in general opinion, one of Standard’s best players since the start of the season. The left flank of Rouches is in good shape and approaches the 1/8th final of the Belgian Cup in Genk with confidence.
Playing three matches in one week is no longer really a habit for Standard. This Wednesday evening, four days after their match in Charleroi, the Rouches will travel to Genk as part of the 1/8 finals of the Belgian Cup. At a press conference this Tuesday, Ilay Camara took stock of the group’s state of mind after the disappointment suffered at Mambourg.
If we had been in the top 6, we could have looked up and shown that we are capable of it” – Ilay Camara
“We have recovered well, the training at the start of the week was a little bit lighter. It’s still a bit of a headache, but it’s up to us to make sure we change things. It’s going to make us feel better. strong, it’s the first time we’ve lost points at the last minute, it’s an experience for our team which is still young. We were very frustrated because we really needed points. in the top 6 this week, we could have looked up and show that we can do it.”
A top 6 that Standard therefore let slip away in added time, perhaps, in part, because of Ivan Leko. The Croatian coach made changes that no one understood, such as the departure of a Camara who nevertheless still seemed in good shape, in favor of a Boli Bolingoli who had not played for many months and who is only returning from injury.
“My statistics (running volume, intensity,…) against Charleroi were very high, but I thought I could finish the match. I ran 13 kilometers, it’s a record at either times close I ran less at RWDM, but it’s not because I progressed on a physical level, but rather in relation to the style of play. Here, I can actually run all over the flank, I was rather. in a very defensive area Molenbeek.”
The full-backs are the holdouts in Standard’s defense
For several weeks, Ivan Leko has been faced with a real headache in composing his defensive compartment. With the exception of Ibe Hautekiet and Bosko Sutalo, all the center backs have been or are injured, which has created multiple changes within the defense. Spared, the full-backs Marlon Fossey and Ilay Camara adapt, with more or less difficulty.
“During training, we try a lot of different players in all positions. So everyone is a little used to it, it’s not only in matches that we can work on automatisms. Personally, I work especially crosses with the left foot (editor’s note: in reference to his change of position, he who played on the right side last season) It was difficult at the beginning, but I train well on that. My assist for Andi was. also with the left foot, I trains me a lot on that.”
I think we can shock” – Ilay Camara
If Standard is the clear outsider of this trip to Genk, Ilay Camara wants to believe it. “I like playing against big teams, so it’s great to play Genk. We know that we didn’t concede there and that we shared, and we know what we have to do tomorrow night . It’s a must to qualify, we want to win. The Cup is the shortest way to reach Europe. Lately, we have often been underdogs against the big teams. But I think tomorrow we can shock.”
