On Friday, Besnik Hasi previewed Saturday evening's home game against STVV. The coach considers this match to be a top-of-the-table clash. Watch the full video on Mauve TV.
The coach reflected one last time on last weekend's defeat. "I still cannot give you the real reasons for this setback. The previous two weeks had gone very well. I was a player myself, and I know that euphoria carries you after a match like the one in Genk. Nevertheless, the players were focused during the final training session. At the start of the match, everything suddenly went wrong. You could say that we had to change two defenders – and two out of three is a lot – and that Thorgan Hazard was suspended, but we had enough quality to do better. It was a collective off day, which we mustn't dwell on. We analysed our mistakes without pointing the finger at anyone in particular. But after this defeat, I'm sure we'll bounce back against STVV."
« A top-of-the-table clash »
The Trudonnaires are in a very good position in the overall standings. "After seventeen matches, it's no longer a surprise. They are very consistent, they have a very recognisable style of play with a lot of energy. They have very good profiles, very physical. Players on the wings who run for ninety minutes. In my opinion, Ito is one of the most intelligent players in our league. The attacking trio – consisting of Goto, Sebaoui and Muja – apply constant pressure. In the first leg, we initially prevented them from getting into their stride and should have been 1-3 up at half-time. We didn't let them come back into the game after that, and they immediately cause you problems. They're a team that's on a positive run, well-built and with the right mentality. It'll be a top-of-the-table clash."
