The second period began at a senator’s pace. The Limburg supporters were sadly noticed by jets of smoke on the lawn, but the meeting could take its course. Without Philip Zinckernagel, injured and replaced by Osher David (52nd). Well launched in depth, Joseph Paintsil forced Bodart to parry with a dry shot (54th).
Genk got back on his feet under the impetus of Paintsil and Anouar Ait El Hadj, mounted at halftime. On the hour mark, Mr. Laforge designated the penalty spot a second time following a clumsy intervention by Bodart at the feet of a Limburg striker. But the VAR saved the people of Liège by confirming an offside for Ait El Hadj at the base of the action. Bryan Heynen picked up a yellow card which will deprive him of the match against Anderlecht next week. On a nice offensive conversion, Filippo Melegoni placed just next to the right post of Vandevoordt (72nd).
Genk did not give up at the end of the game, and came a hair’s breadth from closing the gap, but the three Limburg strikes were well countered by Bodart and his defense (76th). Danger mounted on the Rouche cages. On a quickly played free kick, Paintsil struck low to the ground but the last bulwark of Liège, again, slept well. The Rouches made the round back at the end of the match. Arnaud Bodart was going out on the edge a superb free kick from Mike Trésor from his top corner in added time.
With these three points, Standard consolidates its sixth place (52 points). For his part, Genk (71) signs a disappointing 5/15 and misses the opportunity to distance Union (69), held in check in Ghent this Saturday. Sold-out tonight, the den of Sclessin is indeed the hell of the greats of our championship.
