After a (mini) truce imposed by the national team, the Standard players are back on Saturday, with a duel against Club Brugge. First step in a series of 7 matches that the Lieges are preparing to play in the coming weeks. A copious program therefore awaits the Sclessin team as confirmed Philippe Montanier, the French coach of Standard: “It’s an insane schedule ahead of us. We are going to play 7 matches in 23 days but I’m not complaining. We wanted it and then the players always prefer to play matches rather than a series of training sessions. moreover, we will face very good teams, both in the league, with Bruges and Antwerp, and in the European Cup with Glasgow Rangers and Benfica ”.
Competitive core
The French coach is also satisfied with the core made available to him. He especially pushed a sigh of relief at the end of the transfer window. It must be said that no player left Standard while two new reinforcements joined Sclessin…. “I can only appreciate the way in which the leaders have handled this transfer window. No managerial player has left the club and we have indeed recorded the arrival of two transfers. Two players who will do us good especially given the number of matches that awaits us. We were looking for a right-back and versatile. We found him with Laurent Jans who also knows the Belgian championship very well since he played in Waasland-Beveren for three seasons. And then, the arrival ofEddy Sylvestre is also very positive. I was already following him when I was in France. He had caught my eye with Nice. This is a profile that we did not yet have in our core. It will therefore allow us to provide other solutions on the offensive level “.
Return of the wounded
While he was deprived of several holders in recent weeks, Philippe Montanier has regained (almost) all his living forces. With the exception of Jackson Muleka, the Congolese attacker, hit with ischios during the match in Charleroi, all the injured are back at Standard, rejoices the French coach: ” Samuel Bastien and Maxime Lestienne are finally restored and they will be operational for this Saturday’s match against Bruges. We can say that they come back in shape at the right time. Ditto for our attackers Felipe Avenatti and I had to Oulare who I can count on again. Only small downside, the little knee discomfort that suffers Selim Amallah but fortunately that should not prevent him from playing against the Brugeois “.
Bruges, the benchmark in Belgium
Philippe Montanier will therefore have the choice when it comes to checking off his eleven to face for the defending champion. A team from Bruges that commands respect … “It is certainly the benchmark in Belgium. Club Brugge has won 3 titles in the last 5 years. After a somewhat more discreet introduction, this team remains on a series of 5 consecutive victories. The danger may come. everywhere.If there was only one player to counter, for example Hans Vanaken, that would be simple for us but Bruges is something else with the golden shoe, of course, but also Ruud Vormer, the boss, or Krepin Diatta, an artist. Brugge has quality and experience in all positions, including the goalkeeper, Simon Mignolet. We are therefore going to have to further raise our level of play, as we did in Charleroi, to be able to pose problems for this very good team, but all Standard players are obviously very motivated to face the best team. from Belgium “. For his part, Maxime Lestienne, again fit and well, recognizes the domination of Bruges on Belgian football. The Standard winger, who once wore the blue and black jersey, is however awaiting his former club firmly: “It’s always a special game for me. Brugge was an important stage in my career even though I left Club a few years ago. I don’t know many people there anymore but this meeting is important to me. heart. Brugge are certainly the best in Belgium. They are a formidable formation but Standard should not be afraid of this team. I am not afraid of Brugge, nor anyone in Belgium. We certainly have the potential to be able to be able to do so. win, as we did in Charleroi. And then, the team is gaining momentum. I am therefore confident for the future even if we have to keep our feet on the ground “.
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