2023-08-11 13:45:14
After a complicated start to the season and a second defeat in a row conceded once morest Union Saint-Gilloise, 0-1, Standard travels to Charleroi this Sunday. A high-tension Walloon shock between two teams under pressure since Sporting, which also suffered a disappointment 8 days ago at Cercle Brugge, 2-0, only scored a small point out of six.
In Sclessin, the state of alert has not yet been declared. Carl Hoefkens remain calm and lucid. The Lierrois is well aware of the current shortcomings of his team but this Sunday he can count on the contribution of a new recruit. Wilfried Kanga, the new attacker freshly landed on the banks of the Meuse is operational. The Ivorian player, on loan from Hertha Berlin might render valuable services to a team that is sorely lacking in offensive weight. The Liège coach might therefore start him on Sunday: “Wilfried is ready to play. He has undergone good preparation and played several friendlies with Hertha. It is possible that he will start on Sunday. He is tall and strong. He also knows how to keep the ball and score goals. “Obviously that’s what we ask of strikers. This player also has a lot of experience and a lot of work. His contribution should be beneficial to the young players in the team. So I’m very happy with his arrival at Standard.”.
Unlike the match once morest Union, Carl Hoefkens will also be able to have Cihan Canak. The young Verviétois has recovered from his ankle injury, which delights the Standard coach: “I am happy to be able to count on him. He has shown great things in training and mentally he is very strong. He is motivated to play and he is ready. He will therefore be part of the group resumed for the trip to Charleroi”.
Without Barrett Laursen and William Balikwisha
However, Standard will not fully line up in Charleroi. William Balikisha is suspended following his exclusion once morest the Union. He might be replaced by Cihan Canak or Romain Mundlethe young Briton trained at Tottenham. “He is a young player who is hungry, as he showed when he started playing in Saint-Trond and once morest the Union. I haven’t made the decision yet but I do have the choice between Romaine and Cihan”. Finally, the left-back Berett Laursen is also unavailable. The Dane suffered a calf injury in training. He might give way to the young Noah Dodeigne who left a great impression on his trainer “It is possible that he will start in place of Barrett on the left flank of the defense” Hoefkens said at a press conference. “I’m happy with what Noah has shown so far in training but I also have other options”. Without saying too much, the Standard coach might also offer a 3-5-2 instead of the usual 4-3-3. An option that he does not exclude depending on the players he has.
Other reinforcements expected in Sclessin
Carl Hoefkens is still hoping for new transfers: “It’s necessary to bring experience and competition to the group. I’m still waiting for other players and I know that the leaders are working hard to strengthen the team. So I remain patient and confident. “The transfer window is far from over. That said, the current group is not lacking in quality but some players still have to raise their level of play and show that they are worthy of wearing the Standard shirt”.
1691765932
#Standard #Wilfried #Kanga #Charleroi #start #Sunday