Crisis in Liège!
Standard, one of the traditional top teams in Belgian football, are going through rough times. First, the team completely missed the start to the new season. Coach Guy Luzon was dismissed by owner Roland Duchâtelet (the man who also owns Charlton Athletic, red).
Ivan Vukomanovic replaced him and took a thundering start, posting 4 consecutive wins. But the tables soon turned. Standard have now lost their previous 3 matches (including one in Europe) and are out of the top-6. The defeat against the West-Flemings from Kortrijk was the sign for the home fans to turn against their team, just after both parties had been reconciliated.
A first in 30 years
KV Kortrijk meanwhile are emerging as the big revelations. KVK won at Standard for the first time in 30 years. "I am proud", coach Yves Vanderhaghe told reporters. "And yes, if we continue like this, it's gonna be a fun season!"
KV Kortrijk are a smaller club in the top flight with a small budget. Mr Vanderhaeghe made his debut as head coach this season, after he had been an assistant coach at the club under Hein Vanhaezebrouck, who is now at the helm of AA Gent. Kortrijk beat AA Gent in Ghent in a shock win earlier this season, which led Vanhaezebrouck to saying "the pupil might turn out to be better than his tutor".
It's a close battle!
In other action, Sporting Lokeren were held to a draw by modest Lierse SK, who are fighting relegation. After 17 of 30 days of play before the play-offs with the top 6 for the title, Club Brugge (32 points) are just ahead of Anderlecht (31). AA Gent are two points further adrift in third position with 29 points, with 3 teams hot on their heels: KV Kortrijk, Lokeren and KRC Genk all have 28 points. Standard drop to 8th place with 24 points, behind Sporting Charleroi, another team from Wallonia, with 25 points.