The time for recovery has come in Sclessin. After a mini-truce of just a few days, the competition is already back on track for Standard who will face Kortrijk this Friday evening as part of the 21st day of the championship. A trap match for the Liégeois against an opponent who has often caused them problems in recent years.
After ending the year 2024 with a split in Mechelen (0-0), Standard is already returning to competition. Ranked 10th, halfway between the Champions Playoffs and the play-downs, the Sclessin team must however collect as many points as possible in January in order to take shelter as soon as possible and avoid stress linked to the struggle for maintenance.
Ivan Leko has not forgotten his first match with Standard, a year ago, against… Kortrijk
With this in mind, the Rouches have an interest in winning this Friday against Kortrijk. The Flandrian team, 15th, seems a priori the ideal opponent for this resumption even if Ivan Lekothe Standard coach is not of the same opinion, and we can understand it: ” Kortrijk is a team that does not succeed at Standard. Last year, we also faced this opponent during the restart in January. I remember it very well, it was my first match with Standard and we We lost 0-1 to Kortrijk who beat us again this season, in the first leg last September (1-0). We therefore take this opponent very seriously. and that we will win this time “.
Standard’s last success against Kortrijk dates back to October 19, 2022
Standard therefore did not take a single point against Kortrijk in 2024. The previous season, against the same opponent, Standardmen also bit the dust at home (0-2). We have to go back to October 19, 2022 to find the trace of Liège’s last success against the Kerels (2-0). Ivan Leko once again expects a complicated match against the Courtraisians: “We know, in Belgium, there are no easy matches. We are well placed to talk about it. Kortrijk has just changed coaches and has also strengthened but I feel that my players are particularly motivated before this resumption match. They trained well and the state of mind in the group is very positive.
To face Kortrijk, Ivan Leko will again face selection problems. The Croatian coach will be deprived of Nathan Ngoy, David Bates, Alexandro Calut, They were Bolingoli, Mohammed Badamosi et Matthew Epoloinjured whileArnaud Bodart signed in Metz this Thursday. Laurent Henkinet should logically defend Standard’s goals while the newcomers, Ibrahim Karamoko et Andreas Hountondji are already included in the core. Despite these setbacks, Leko is confident before this match: “We continue with a good result in Mechelen and we are ready for this match against Kortrijk. I also know that at home, with the support of our supporters, Standard can beat any team. There will be a lot of duels and intensity in this match. You will have to be disciplined and efficient. It’s up to us to have this killer instinct in front of the opposing goal without forgetting our defensive principles. These will undoubtedly be the keys to hoping to win against Kortrijk.”
