Racing Genk start the new season with a loss of points. The Limburgers were unable to win their first home game of the season against a tough defensive team. After 90 minutes the score remained 0-0.
Racing Genk and Standard kicked off their new season at the Cegeka Arena under beautiful summer sunshine. In Genk, newcomers Smits and Stikers were given a starting place. Furthermore, coach Fink brought in plenty of young talent between the lines with Benders, Karitsas and Bangoura. In Standard, Ivan Leko put three newcomers in the starting lineup with Sotalo, Bolat and Bates.
Genk started the game with plenty of possession and movement but without creating any danger on goal. Liege came close in the first quarter when Polat took a free kick from about 40 metres. Mike Penders returned in time to push the ball over the goal. Standard gradually regained their balance, without being dangerous.
Bad luck for Karitsas
The best chance of the first half fell to the young Karitsas. Kayembe played an excellent pass on his own on the left, the ball fell to Karitsas who was able to push it in from 2 metres. He was surprised when Lawrence turned the ball in front of the line with a sliding pass.
Just before half-time, Karitsas had bad luck again. He broke free and hit the post. There was also bad luck. Nkouba who had to leave injured a short time ago.
Just after the break, Bangoura, not for the first time, suffered a loss of possession, sending Ben Jadida deep and perfectly placing the ball into the far corner. However, the party could not go ahead as the Standard striker was offside.
Limburgers also had the upper hand in the second half and had smaller chances, but either the finishing was too poor or the final pass was impure. Tolo headed wide, and Stoekers couldn’t control the ball enough when he was sent deep.
Standard remained well organised throughout the match and did not leave much space. Genk did not do enough with the ball and so the generally disappointing match ended in a 0-0 draw at the start. A boost for Standard and a disappointment for Genk supporters.
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