2023-12-26 09:02:00
The defeat in Saint-Trond on Saturday confirmed the numerous incapacities of Carolos, mainly offensive. Beyond the result, it is the climate in and around the team that is worrying.
1. A collective that is crumbling
In the locker room following the match, the walls shook. Adem Zorgue, in particular, expressed his frustration. Felice Mazzù also let out a shout. He castigated the mentality of certain elements and the lack of self-criticism. Players blaming each other is a bad sign. “Everyone needs to question themselves. We lack solidarity. Each player must be able to accept comments and be corrected, said the Sambrian coach. I’m not talking specifically regarding the staff but regarding the players among themselves. We need to have more cohesion in communication, connection and taking responsibility.”
Koffi delays the deadline, Dabbagh and Benbouali harmless: the notes of the Carolos following the defeat in Saint-Trond (1-0)
During the match, we sometimes saw players giving up, not always making defensive runs or complaining regarding the initiative of a partner. Be careful, not everything had to be thrown away. We also saw Dabbagh calming Zagence following a misunderstanding; the latter coming to comfort and encourage Nkuba following a failed action; or even Marcq congratulate Bager for his saving return (59th).
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I hope everyone is pulling in the same direction.
Marcq, in fact, came to take charge in the mixed zone. He spoke of this palpable unease: “If everyone pulls in the same direction, we can be a great team, but I hope everyone pulls in the same direction […] If there are truths to be told, they must be told […] At the moment, it’s too complicated.”
Charleroi is thirteenth and therefore virtually in playdowns before hosting Mechelen on Wednesday for the last match before the break. “We are going to make sure we lift our heads to end the year on a good note and forget all this ambient doldrums. Especially since there is a big calendar at the start of 2024 (Editor’s note: Antwerp and Club Bruges). If we don’t do that, the season risks being very long at the bottom of the rankings.”
Mazzù is furious with certain players.
2. A lost coach
Charleroi suffered further events on Saturday evening at Stayen. No shots on target and 35% possession. A cautious, even fearful, game plan and predictable changes. Koffi best Carolo, that says a lot. Benbouali missed a huge opportunity (78th) – bringing the number of minutes without scoring away from home to 512 – and Nkuba lacked concentration on Trudon’s goal (84th).
The weeks pass, the speeches and observations are repeated tirelessly. Felice Mazzù is not the only one responsible, as we have already said. The core is not balanced, lacks quality in certain positions and then the atmosphere at the club with the arrival of American investor David Helmer might have been a source of concern. But the coach is always the first fuse to blow.
Mazzù’s dream of ending his career positively in Charleroi turned into a nightmare.
Mazzù seems lost, helpless. In the rut. 18 points out of 57. The flame is fading. Does he feel the end looming? It would be a terrible failure for both him and his management. Because his dream of ending his coaching career at Charleroi, ideally on as good a note as his first stint, is currently a nightmare. He doesn’t deserve this but, without a victory once morest Mechelen, his destiny risks changing.
Marcq, locker room captain, played the solidarity card regarding the possible need to change coaches to instill a new dynamic: “It’s not me who should be asking the question. In the locker room that I went through and where there was a change of coach, there was really a divide between the coach, the staff and the group. This is not the case here in Charleroi.”
Only certain Carolos (including Mbenza, Bernier and Heymans) went to greet the supporters present at Stayen on Saturday evening.
3. Exhausted supporters
The return from Sint-Truiden was somewhat chaotic for the Zebras. A delegation of supporters awaited them on the Mambourg esplanade, with smoke bombs, fireworks and other songs.
There was no clash or damage, but the message was clear. And published on social networks: “Half a team of courageous people greeting the stupid supporters once once more, while half a team is in the shower (to wash off the insult?). An absent captain… who is no longer one, wrote the Storm Ultras in particular. Players, staff, management, you only have one thing to do: remove the profiles that are no longer concerned and move forward with warriors […] As for the wankers who think they would shine elsewhere: get out of there and show us all your talent. You have no pride, no honor.”
The reception in Mechelen on Wednesday (8:45 p.m.) promises to be extremely tense. A start is essential.
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