Standard Luik failed to secure a victory at Sclessin on October 31, 2026, drawing 1-1 against KV Kortrijk in the Jupiler Pro League and leaving the club with just one point from its last fifteen available. The result sparked fierce criticism from former players Silvio Proto and Steven Defour, who pointed to a glaring lack of leadership and fighting spirit within the squad during a broadcast on RTL Sports.
Defour and Proto Slam Squad Leadership Deficit
The home draw against KV Kortrijk laid bare deep-seated issues within the Standard squad, according to former midfielder Steven Defour. Speaking on RTL Sports, Defour didn’t mince words about the collective mentality of the team when facing adversity at home. “If you play a home draw against Kortrijk, there is a problem with quality, courage, and technique,” Defour said, noting that the team lacks a player who can grab the match by the scruff of the neck. “There is no leader on the ball; there simply isn’t a single one at Standard.”
Former goalkeeper Silvio Proto echoed those concerns, describing the team’s display as troubling and noting visible anxiety among the players on the pitch. “If you see what they bring to the field, that is sad. You don’t see players giving everything. I saw players who were afraid,” Proto stated. He added that the fierce dissatisfaction among supporters in Luik is entirely logical given the lack of attacking threat, noting that the few scarce scoring chances stemmed only from clearances by goalkeeper Lucas Pirard.
Drammeh Remains Defiant as Pirard Points to Tough Phase
While external analysts questioned the team’s resilience, inside the dressing room opinions on the 90 minutes varied. Standard forward Salieu Drammeh offered a sunnier outlook to reporters after the match, insisting his side controlled the tempo despite the frustrating scoreline. “Yes, the result is disappointing, but personally I think we played well. We had more possession and more chances. We just should have been sharper in front of goal,” Drammeh said, as cited by RTBF. Drammeh leveled the score for the hosts in the 63rd minute, canceling out Goduine Koyalipou’s controversial first-half penalty.
Goalkeeper Lucas Pirard avoided using the word crisis to describe the club’s prolonged winless run, which now stretches across nearly two months. Instead, Pirard preferred to label it a difficult phase requiring a single spark to turn results around. Pirard also pointed to the tactical hurdles presented by KV Kortrijk under their new trainer, whose high-pressing system, inspired by a Leipzig philosophy, consistently disrupted Standard’s build-up play.
Supporters Demand Intensity Over Results
For the fanbase inside Sclessin, the friction extends well beyond a single league table position. Defour emphasized that supporters in Luik are ultimately forgiving of poor form if the squad demonstrates visible effort, sweat, and initiative. “When the fans see that players are giving everything, they are happy,” Defour explained. “At this moment, the result matters less to them, but you have to show something at home. They cannot handle that pressure. Maybe they are afraid the supporters will whistle.”
The draw leaves Standard mired in the lower half of the standings after 10 matches, desperately searching for traction as the autumn schedule intensifies. KV Kortrijk, meanwhile, departs Sclessin with a valuable away point earned through defensive organization and Koyalipou’s first-half conversion from the spot, though late chances from substitute Lenn De Smet nearly snatched all three points for the visitors.
Next Fixture on the Horizon
Standard Luik returns to Jupiler Pro League action in the coming week to attempt to break their winless streak, while KV Kortrijk prepares for their next domestic fixture in West-Vlaanderen.
