Jupiler Pro League – matchday 21 – 20/01/24 – 18:16
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45′
Filippo Avenatti
0 – 1
Filippo Avenatti
45′
A defeat against the Red Lantern. Not quite the debut Ivan Leko had in mind at Standard. Despite numerous opportunities for the home team, KV Kortrijk prevailed with 0-1, their third victory of the season. Not Leko, but Freyr Alexandersson was able to celebrate his debut.
Standard – KV Kortrijk in a nutshell:
- Key Moment: It’s hard to pinpoint where Standard missed it. Due to the tension, perhaps the final offensive, in which Price and Ohio failed to find the target.
- Man of the match: Freyr Alexandersson left KV Kortrijk anything but the backline. The Icelander has a reputation as a relegation savior and gives hope to the West Flemish people.
- Remarkable: KV Kortrijk tastes victory for the first time in 3 months. It was already like this at the end of October with the stunt against Club Brugge.
Standard shoot themselves in the foot with missed opportunities and freebies
At Standard they still had some fireworks left over from December 31, because the first home game of the season started with a fireworks display. The fans also contributed with beautiful cheers.
However, Standard players showed less fireworks on the pitch. In reality it was KV Kortrijk who had the most chances in the opening phase. Felipe Avenatti tried to finish too well, without succeeding.
After 20 minutes the home team took control, but Ivan Leko quickly realized he still had work to do with finishing. Fossey, Price, Balikwisha and Sowah all had (half) chances, but failed to score.
And then sometimes you can put your eyelid over your nose. Captain Zinho Vanheusden unfortunately loses the ball in front of his own penalty area, Avenatti takes control and aims for the right corner: 0-1.
Standard had to come in the second half, but for a while they couldn’t get beyond a volley from Sowah. KV Kortrijk continues to retreat, but the hedgehog’s position is not penalized.
Only at the end did the Standard insist again. Substitute Perica’s header was too weak, Price and Ohio did not find the target in a hot finishing position. Ivan Leko was left empty-handed in his first match. KV Kortrijk recorded their first win in 3 months, a great start for coach Freyr Alexandersson.
Alexandersson: “Not romantic, but ruthless”
Freyr Alexandersson couldn’t think of a better way to start his JPL adventure. “0-1 against Standard, clean sheet… In terms of result, it couldn’t have gone better,” began the Icelander.
But the Kortrijk coach is not only satisfied with the result: “The work ethic, the defensive schemes, we were strong tactically, even mentally. The belief was there, I couldn’t ask for more.”
“We need more time to fine-tune the technical aspect, but first we need to build trust and get the guys working together. This was a good first step that we can build on.”
Alexandersson doesn’t find it a shame that KV Kortrijk opted for a defensive approach towards the end. “Defending is part of football. We must not be romantic now, we must be ruthless. We must not be naive, we must score points.”
Leko: “I’m disappointed with the result”
Ivan Leko did not hide his disappointment. “We knew it would be a difficult match between two teams who needed a result,” said the Croatian.
“If you get so many chances, you have to have a killer instinct. I’m disappointed with the result, especially because we had two good weeks during the winter break.”
“My compliments to the opponent, who forced his own luck. We must do it now too. It is not easy to win in Belgium. You have to go in red, you have to want to die on the pitch”, Leko concluded.
Phase by phase
END
KV Kortrijk extended their narrow lead. Standard still had enough chances to get at least a point, but Ivan Leko was left empty-handed on his debut.
The standard can no longer make a fist. Now they risk remaining winless for 6 games in a row.
5 – extra time
An additional 5 minutes will be added.
There is the final offensive
Pirard suddenly finds himself in a shooting zone, but the ball doesn’t go in. Price and Ohio both manage to score in the penalty area, but the equalizer does not come.
Ivan Leko tries to give some encouragement to his team. A final offensive is the least he expects from Standard.
Standard doesn’t have much time left to save Ivan Leko’s debut. There will be another reaction, because in the second half everything was a little less.
Even Noah Ohio now seems a little offended in the penalty area. It’s not a penalty, his chest control wasn’t good enough.
But once again it was KV Kortrijk who threatened. El Idrissy doesn’t get up from the ground to head a cross towards goal.
Triple replacement for Standard
Ivan Leko plays all or nothing. If KV Kortrijk wants to make everything safe, the Croatian plays the offensive card. He gives Canak, Ohio and Mundle another fifteen minutes.
Freyr Alexandersson brings in two pitbulls, Malinov and El Idrissy, who should help Kortrijk maintain their lead.
14 goal attempts against 4 goal attempts
Standard exploits confusion to criticize. Kamal Sowah cannot benefit from this. Liège has 14 goal attempts, Kortrijk 4.
No penalty for Kortrijk
Laifis appears to have a foot in Afolabi’s trip in the penalty area. The referee, however, doesn’t see any problem and doesn’t point to the spot.
2024-01-20 20:30:48
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