After three home matches, the Mauves, currently second in the standings, travel to Leuven on Friday evening. Sporting kick off against OHL at Den Dreef at 8:45 PM. The day before the match, Besnik Hasi looked ahead to the game. Watch his full press conference on Mauve TV.
The coach opened his media talk with an update on the injured players: “Sardella didn’t train with the group on Wednesday, Thorgan completed some parts of the session. We’ll see in today’s training how they feel and whether they can be included in the squad for the match against OHL.”
Without Hazard - who has already scored four league goals - the Mauves found it harder to score. “Thorgan is a player who can decide a locked game with an individual action. Of course you always want such a player available.” But the coach does not want to rely on one player for goals. “We need to do certain things better in attack. Then players like Huerta, Stroeykens, Angulo, Vazquez and also Saliba will score more - they definitely have those qualities.”
At right-back in particular, the coach faces staffing problems. Maamar has left for the Africa Cup with Morocco’s U20s, and Sardella has some discomfort in his hip. “The medical staff didn’t want to take risks with Killian, but it has nothing to do with his previous injury.” Hasi also wants to be careful with Camara: “There are barely two days between matches. Ilay had no reaction after the game against KAA Gent and was able to train fully.”
“When we brought in Camara, the idea was to play him in the position he had at Standard,” the coach explained, though he does not want to cling to one particular system. “What matters most to me is that the wingers bring speed - something Camara and Angulo provide through their actions. The exact formation can therefore change from game to game; we always remain true to our playing concept.”
Verschaeren made his first appearance since the match against FCV Dender in the game against KAA Gent. “It was not a request from the club to leave him out because he only has one year left on his contract,” Hasi assured. “Yari started the season well in midfield with Llansana, but with the emergence of De Cat and later the arrival of players like Saliba, we had to make choices.”
Will the Mauves once again start with three at the back on Friday night? “Against KAA Gent that was the best solution,” Hasi said, “but it depends on the players. Saliba played a bit higher up the field and De Cat used the spaces very well.” The choice was also influenced by Sardella’s withdrawal and Hazard’s absence. “Depending on the opponent, it is certainly a way to stop teams or hurt them.”
Which players will start and how the coach will set up his team will be revealed Friday at 8:45 PM, when OHL and RSCA kick off matchday nine of the Jupiler Pro League.
