Standard Liège won a new point, but Ivan Leko is well aware that his team’s current performances, based on laborious efforts rather than spectacle, do not make one dream.
Against Mechelen, Standard once again relied on its defensive organization in order to preserve a goalless score. Ivan Leko does not shy away from the quality of the show: “I know very well that our way of playing is not attractive. We are not naive.”
“We know our situation: we are playing with a lot of young people. These boys deserve immense respect for having won a point in these conditions. Look at our defense: Epolo, Daan Dierckx and Ibe Hautekiet, it is that of the reserves of the year last,” he continued.
Almost a year after his arrival at the head of Rouches, Leko admits having had to profoundly revise his approach to football. “I was sometimes criticized for playing too offensively or having too romantic a vision of the game. Today, those who knew me before must ask themselves: ‘Who is this coach?'”
Ivan Leko talks about the challenges of his mandate at Standard
The Croatian, still facing a real recovery mission, nevertheless remains optimistic: “Never before would I have played in this way, but in a way I am proud of it. I learned a lot and I am a better coach than a year ago We must accept our current situation. Standard remains a big name in Belgian football.
Leko, committed to making the club progress, does not hide his ambitions. “I will do everything to bring Standard back to the level it deserves. But it is clear that this requires improvements in the short term.”
He nevertheless underlines the uncertainty surrounding the financial resources available: “The transfer window will be crucial. We know that we cannot spend a euro, but team cohesion alone is not enough to go further.”
He then mentioned the winter transfer window. “What do we need? Everything. Speed, power, a defensive midfielder, goals, assists, dribbling… We need more competition and profiles adapted to our needs. “
