Jess Thorup leaves Jeppe Erenbjerg on KRC Genk bench

KRC Genk secured a victory against Virton in the Croky Cup, utilizing a near full-strength lineup under Jess Thorup. While the result advanced the Limburg club, the team selection signaled a tactical shift that left a summer acquisition on the bench.

Thorup Sticks With Winning Formula Against Virton

Opting to maintain momentum following a 3-0 league win against KV Kortrijk, Thorup made only a single change to his starting XI—handing Tobe Leysen the start in goal over Lucca Brughmans. Across the rest of the pitch, the manager deployed his typeploeg to ensure zero risk of an upset.

Heymans Secures Midfield Role As Erenbjerg Fades

In central midfield, Benjamin Tahirovic retained his spot after definitively winning the battle against Ibrahima Sory Bangoura. That decision kept Daan Heymans in the starting lineup ahead of Jeppe Erenbjerg. Heymans immediately justified his coach’s faith by opening the scoring early and directly contributing to the team’s second goal.

Local publication Het Belang van Limburg awarded Heymans a match rating of 8 out of 10, noting that he “pushed Erenbjerg out of the starting eleven last week and has no intention of giving up that spot anytime soon.” The newspaper added that Heymans now anchors a sturdy midfield triangle alongside Tahirovic and Bryan Heynen.

Newcomer Sits Out

The tactical consolidation leaves 26-year-old Jeppe Erenbjerg on the outside looking in. Arriving with a price tag of 5,5 million, making him the second most expensive newcomer to the Cegeka Arena behind Rafiu Durosinmi, Erenbjerg enjoyed a fast start with three assists in his first four league appearances before stalling out of the rotation.

Thorup noted after the match that deploying Heymans and Erenbjerg together was nearly chosen for the starting whistle. However, with the current midfield balance producing results, the coach indicated it remains unlikely he will displace wingers such as Junya Ito to accommodate the left-footed player.