A victory against Deinze, third, and a misstep for Ostend against Standard, already relegated. The combination offering support to Seraing seems, on paper, as improbable as a divine apparition. It is certainly this reflection which guided some Seresian supporters to travel to Banneux to place a scarf at the foot of the Virgin Mary at the start of the week.
However, a few elements – more realistic, this time – suggest that the Steelworkers can achieve a miracle.
Seraing has been undefeated for over a month
A week after the success at Standard, Seraing must sign a second consecutive victory against Deinze, a performance that he has not managed to achieve for 874 days. “An eternity. We will have to overcome this curse”grimaces Francesco D’Onofrio, who will replace Mbaye Leye, suspended.
The club has never seemed so close to breaking this sad record. He remains on four matches without defeat and can, if successful, equal the series which allowed him to join the elite, in May 2021. “Compared to the game we are producing at the moment, certain matches leave me with regrets, like the draw against Ostend. I still have this match in my throat”sighs Oussmane Kebe.
Narrowly victorious against SL 16, Seraing will need a new miracle to save itself
Ostend no longer wins at home
Second condition to maintain: an Ostend misstep. In theory, the reception of Standard looks like a formality but the Coastals do not shine in front of their public. In the championship, they remain on five consecutive defeats in their stadium, even if the calendar had reserved matches for them against tenors of the series.
In these conditions, the arrival of SL 16 seems more delicate, especially since the Liégeois have only lost two of their last four trips. “We will have to concentrate on our match first because we don’t have our fate in hand. In football, everything is possible”pleads Francesco D’Onofrio.
Seraing displays (finally) a warrior mentality
A victory snatched at Standard, two character draws at Lommel and Beerschot, a dazzling success against Patro: in recent weeks, Seraing has shown the character… that it should have displayed since the start of the season. This mentality can be an asset during a meeting that will put Seresian and Ostend nerves to the test. “On Friday, we will have to make the players aware of the importance of the event, without putting too much pressure on them.”
The core
Sy, Margueron, De Ridder, Marloye, Solheid, Tshibuabua (?), Kilota, Ndiaye, Trémoulet, Droehnle, Kebe, Cachbach, Guillaume, Diarra, Scarpinati, Perrey, Raillot, Fall, Bayo, Balongo, Sègbè.
