Freiburg, Germany – KRC Genk’s Head of Football, Dimitri De Condé, believes the weight of expectation rests more heavily on the shoulders of SC Freiburg ahead of Thursday’s Europa League return leg. Genk carries a slender 1-0 advantage from the first leg, and De Condé suggests Freiburg will feel the pressure to perform in front of their home supporters.
The stakes are undeniably high for the Belgian side. A victory, or even a scoring draw, would see Genk advance to the quarter-finals of the Europa League – a feat De Condé acknowledges is a rare opportunity for a club of their stature. “With all due respect, finishing sixth or seventh in the league will happen again,” De Condé stated, as reported by Voetbalprimeur. “This is perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime chance, or at least for the next few years.”
De Condé, who has been with Genk for eleven years, recognizes the growing international attention surrounding the club’s European run. He noted that the interest in Genk’s Europa League campaign now surpasses even the excitement generated by winning the Limburg derby against STVV. “When I speak now, it’s on an international level, which is logical,” he explained. “You have the Champions League first, of course, but even in the Europa League, We find only sixteen names. On Friday, there are eight names that are being looked at throughout Europe by everyone who follows European football. In that sense, this is very important for us.”
The return leg in Freiburg represents more than just a chance to reach the quarter-finals; it’s a significant financial opportunity for Genk. Reports indicate that reaching the latter stages of the Europa League could bring millions of euros to the club, potentially fueling a busy summer transfer window.
De Condé’s assessment that Freiburg is under more pressure stems from their status as the home side and the expectation to overturn the first-leg deficit. Freiburg will be expected to accept the initiative, potentially leaving themselves vulnerable to Genk’s counter-attacking prowess – a tactic that proved successful in the first leg.
The Genk Head of Football also highlighted the importance of navigating the initial stages of the match. “We need to secure through the beginning,” De Condé said, according to Voetbalbelgie. “To say we are the favorites after last week would be naive.”
Dimitri De Condé has been a fixture at KRC Genk since 2015, currently serving as their Technical Director. His long tenure with the club demonstrates a commitment to its development and success. According to Transfermarkt, his contract with Genk is expected to run until June 30, 2029.
The Europa League has taken on added significance for Genk, particularly given their performance in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League. The European run provides a welcome distraction and a source of pride for the club and its supporters. Reaching the quarter-finals would not only be a historic achievement but also a testament to the team’s resilience and tactical flexibility.
The match promises to be a tense affair, with both teams acutely aware of the implications of the result. Genk will be looking to replicate the defensive solidity and clinical finishing that characterized their first-leg victory, while Freiburg will aim to exploit their home advantage and impose their attacking style on the game.
The atmosphere at the Europa-Park Stadion is expected to be electric, with a passionate home crowd urging Freiburg forward. Although, De Condé and his Genk team are confident that they can withstand the pressure and secure their place in the next round. The club is hoping to see its logo among the eight quarterfinalists, a goal that would be a source of immense pride for everyone associated with KRC Genk.
Kick-off is scheduled for 18:45 local time (16:45 UTC) on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at the Europa-Park Stadion in Freiburg. Fans can follow the match live on various sports channels and streaming platforms. The winner of this tie will advance to the quarter-finals, where they will face one of the other successful teams from the round of 16.
Following the match against Freiburg, Genk will return to domestic action, where they will continue their pursuit of a top-six finish in the Jupiler Pro League. The outcome of the Europa League tie could have a significant impact on the team’s morale and momentum heading into the final stretch of the league season.
Worth a look
