Fri 13 Sep 2019, 20:30
Charleroi Charleroi 2 - 1 KRC Genk KRC Genk

Being todays opponents former coach this was of course a very special game for Felice Mazzu. “It definitely is. It will be even a bit emotional. Because Charleroi was my first club at the highest level but also because the city gave me everything, it’s the city of my family, the city I grew up and went to school in. If my players want to put in an extra 10% because the game is close to my heart, that’s a bonus. But still, they have to play for our supporters, for our club and for themselves,” Mazzu said before the game.

Mazzu had his entire squad at his disposal, except for Vukovic (Achilles tendon injury) and Lucumi who hadn’t returned from international duty until Thursday and was granted some rest. With the first Champions League game coming up the coach made four changes to the starting line-up. A the back Cuesta replaced Lucumi, in midfield Hrošovský started the game instead of Piotrowski. Up front Onuachu made his Genk debut replacing Samatta who came back from international duty with a minor knee injury and Ndongala replaced Ito.

For Karim Belhocine and his team this game was a first big test. “The beginning of the season wasn’t too bad. As a player you will always want to play against the reigning champions. We’ll have to be at our best in every compartment and during the full ninety minutes to get something out of this,” he said before the game.

2 – 0 behind at half time.

Up to minute 25 nothing much happened in the Mambourg stadium. The visitors had possession but that didn’t yield anything. Onuachu caused Penneteau some trouble when the goalkeeper reacted hesitantly after a ball back and Dewaest headed wide from a Uronen free kick. On the opposite side Dewaest and Coucke joined forces to prevent Ilhaimaharitra from scoring. Then there were two consecutive penalty situations. Paintsil entered the box and was brought down by a defender. Referee Verboomen didn’t think much of it and refused the spot kick.

Less than a minute later Dewaest left the ball for Coucke to pick up, Fall popped up in between them and went down all too eagerly after an imaginary contact with our goalkeeper. This time Verboomen pointed to the spot. Coucke didn’t stand a chance against Moriokas penalty kick. Three minutes later Nicholson doubled the score. On the edge of the box he controlled the ball with his right foot, then belted it home with his left.

Right before the half time whistle Paintsil got injured allowing Theo Bongonda to make his first official minutes for KRC Genk in the Jupiler Pro League. No more than a minute later Theo almost opened his tally when he headed over the bar from a Heynen free kick. Half time score was 2 – 0.

Onuachu scores his first.

The second half started with an attempt from Berge that went high over the crossbar. Ten minutes after, Ito came on to replace Heynen allowing Ndongala to post as a striker next to Onuachu. On the hour mark Genk scored the goal of hope. Onuachu headed home from a cross by Uronen. The game was back on.

With ten minutes left on the clock Felice Mazzu sent Hagi on instead of De Norre. In injury time Penneteau prevented Onuachu from heading in the equalizer from a cross by Ito. Whatever effort Genk put in, they didn’t succeed in tearing down the Charleroi wall. The game ended in a 2 – 1 defeat.

R.C.S.Charleroi line-up: Penneteau, Diagne, Diandy, Nicholson (87’ Willems), Marinos (83’ Busi), Dessoleil, Nurio, Ilaimaharitra, Fall, Morioka (45’ Rezaei) and Bruno.

KRC Genk line-up : Coucke, De Norre (81’ Hagi), Cuesta, Dewaest, Uronen, Berge, Heynen (54’ Ito), Hrošovský, Ndongala, Paintsil (44’ Bongonda) and Onuachu.

Goalscorers:

26’ : 1 – 0 : Morioka (penalty kick)
29’ : 2 – 0 : Nicholson
61’ : 2 – 1 : Onuachu

Bookings: 51’ Ilhaimaharitra, 69’ Bruno, 72’ Dessoleil, 73’ Dewaest, 80’ Marinos, 84’ Busi, 94’ Rezaei

Referee: Nathan Verboomen