On the pitch for 83% of the time in the league, Ibe Hautekiet is the central defender most used by Ivan Leko this season. The nice surprise of a player predestined to take his place on the bench, who has become the boss of one of the best defenses in the country.
A difficult trip awaits Standard in Sint-Truiden this Sunday. Winners of Kortrijk last week, the Rouches would like to sign their first 6/6 of the season, as Ibe Hautekiet pointed out at a press conference this Friday.
“We would finally like to win twice in a row, but it won’t be easy on the synthetic pitch in Sint-Truiden. The ball goes much faster and that’s nice, but it’s very difficult on the back and the joints. It’s an important match, we could do great things in the standings with a victory.”
Ibe Hautekiet knew how to seize his chance
The former central defender of Club NXT is one of the nice surprises of the season in Sclessin. Predestined to take a place on the bench, Ibe Hautekiet received his chance due to the countless number of injuries in the Rouches defensive sector, and took it.
-“I am very happy with my season, even if I could have done better at one or the other time. In the summer, the coach told me ‘you will have your chance with a few other young defenders. If that happens Go well, you will stay with us, and if things go badly, we will find a solution, on loan or otherwise.’
That’s the least we can say. This season, Ibe Hautekiet is the central defender most used by Ivan Leko, since he has three minutes more playing time than Bosko Sutalo. The 22-year-old center back has become the leader of a central hinge which has changed its face every week, in the team which has achieved the most clean sheets in the championship.
Yes, clean sheets become a game with defenders”
“It’s impressive. If I could have signed for this at the start of the season, I would have done so. I want to be there in every game for the team. Everyone works and defends together, it starts with the attackers Yes, clean sheets become a game. With the defenders, we say to ourselves after the match ‘yes, one more’. The important thing is how we defend, no matter who is playing or if there are changes. , he concluded, very envious of muzzle Adriano Bertaccini, Didier Lamkel Zé & co, this Sunday at Stayen.
