The sting of elimination in the Belgian Cup at dender has left a bitter taste for Standard Liège. Following a disappointing performance, French striker Timothé Nkada addressed the team’s recent struggles, pushing back against any notion of a lack of investment from the players.
Standard supporters made their feelings known with a vociferous “Move your balls” chant, a clear indication of their frustration. In recent weeks, fans have felt let down by performances that have lacked the grit and determination seen in earlier matches against formidable opponents like Club Brugge and Antwerp – games that had previously defined the Euvrard era.
“It’s a massive disappointment,” Nkada admitted in an interview.”The Cup was a significant goal for us. Losing in the Round of 16, especially after scoring twice and creating numerous chances, is incredibly frustrating. We had the opportunities, but we simply lacked the clinical finishing.”
Nkada Breaks His Scoring Drought Amidst Criticism
Responding to individual criticism, Nkada managed to find the back of the net, giving his team a first-half lead with a well-taken goal. Though, this personal achievement was overshadowed by the team’s ultimate failure to secure a victory. The mood, therefore, is far from celebratory.
“We need to quickly refocus on the league. We’re on a decent trajectory, and we must make that swift transition. It’s our job,” Nkada emphasized. The team now looks ahead to their upcoming league fixture.
Standard faces Cercle de bruges this Saturday. The home side, Cercle, has struggled for form, failing to secure a win since their initial encounter. That 3-0 victory at Sclessin was a pivotal moment,ultimately leading to the dismissal of their then-manager,Mircea Rednic.
“We’re going to draw positives from the league and aim for a strong finish to the year, stringing together a series of victories – one, two, or even three.That’s our primary objective between now and the end of the year.I’m hopeful we can kickstart that this Saturday at Cercle de Bruges,” Nkada stated, expressing his ambition for the team.
Despite the focus shifting to the league, the widespread frustration among the fanbase is undeniable. Nkada acknowledged the supporters’ sentiments: “I understand their disappointment. We are equally disappointed. This is football. No one intentionally underperformed; we gave our all. We need to approach this weekend with the right mindset, and that will make the difference.”
