FREIBURG, Germany – Racing Genk faces a significant setback as they prepare for the second leg of their Europa League Round of 16 clash against Freiburg on Thursday. Key attacker Zakaria El Ouahdi is suspended for the match, leaving coach Nicky Hayen without a pivotal player who scored the decisive goal in the first leg.
El Ouahdi’s stunning volley secured a 1-0 victory for Genk at home last week, giving them a narrow advantage heading into the return fixture in Germany. Though, the Moroccan right-back picked up a yellow card during the match and now finds himself in a precarious position, having accumulated enough cautions to trigger a suspension for this crucial encounter. According to reports, El Ouahdi was unaware he was on the verge of a ban.
Genk’s First-Leg Triumph
The first leg at the Cegeka Arena saw Genk overcome a positive start from Freiburg, who had a goal disallowed by VAR early in the game. The match remained tightly contested, with both sides creating opportunities. Josue Kongolo made a crucial block to deny Johan Manzambi a second chance after his initial goal was ruled out. Genk ultimately broke the deadlock midway through the first half when El Ouahdi expertly finished a well-worked one-two with Bryan Heynen, marking his ninth goal of the season and his fifth in this Europa League campaign.
Konstantinos Karetsas came close to extending Genk’s lead, but his effort narrowly missed the target. Freiburg also had a late opportunity to equalize, with Yuito Suzuki’s deflected shot hitting the woodwork. Genk goalkeeper Tobias Lawal also avoided conceding a penalty after a challenge on Matthias Ginter, with the referee determining a foul had occurred on Joris Kayembe in the build-up.
El Ouahdi’s Impact and Absence
El Ouahdi’s absence is a blow to Genk, as he has been a consistent performer throughout the season. His nine goals demonstrate his attacking prowess, and his five goals in the Europa League highlight his importance in this competition. The team will demand to find a way to compensate for his creativity and goal-scoring threat in Freiburg.
Nicky Hayen made five changes to his starting lineup for the first leg following a disappointing defeat against Union Saint-Gilloise, demonstrating his willingness to rotate the squad. He will now face a tactical challenge in Freiburg, needing to adjust his team to account for El Ouahdi’s suspension. The coach expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance in the first leg, noting they avoided falling into a trap after a strong start by Freiburg.
Freiburg’s Response and Home Advantage
Despite the first-leg defeat, Freiburg will be confident of overturning the deficit on home soil. They started the first leg brightly and created several chances, and will be looking to replicate that intensity in front of their own supporters. The Schwarzwald-Stadion is known for its passionate atmosphere, which could provide a significant boost to Freiburg’s chances.
Freiburg’s manager, Julian Schuster, will likely emphasize the need to be more clinical in front of goal and to tighten up their defense. They will also be hoping to exploit any weaknesses in Genk’s lineup caused by El Ouahdi’s absence. The German side will be keen to avoid another VAR-related frustration, having seen a goal disallowed in the first leg.
What’s Next for Genk
Following the Europa League clash against Freiburg, Genk will return to domestic action, facing STVV in a highly anticipated match. The focus will quickly shift back to the Belgian Pro League, where Genk will be looking to maintain their position in the top half of the table. The match against STVV is expected to be a fiercely contested affair, adding another layer of importance to Genk’s schedule.
The Europa League remains a significant opportunity for Genk to achieve success on the European stage. Despite the setback of El Ouahdi’s suspension, they will be determined to put up a strong fight in Freiburg and secure their place in the quarter-finals. The return leg is scheduled for Thursday, March 19, 2026, with a kickoff time to be announced. Fans can follow updates on the official UEFA Europa League website and through Genk’s social media channels.
The stakes are high for both teams as they battle for a place in the next round of the Europa League. Genk will need a strong collective performance to overcome El Ouahdi’s absence and navigate a challenging atmosphere in Freiburg. Freiburg, will be eager to capitalize on their home advantage and turn the tie in their favor.
