Standard hype is baloney for Bölöni
Friday, September 26, 2008
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RSC Anderlecht's president said in the build-up to tonight's heavyweight tie that he expects R. Standard de Liège to "be champions", yet Standard coach Laszlo Bölöni knows that the better team do not always win.
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'Extremely good sides'
Five rounds into the season, Anderlecht, Standard and rank outsiders R. Excelsior Mouscron are level on 13 points at the top of the Belgian table, although the titleholders have looked the best of the three sides so far. Anderlecht president Roger Vanden Stock said: "I think Standard will be champions, because they have an extremely good team this year. We will have to work extremely hard to be able to beat them."
Bölöni wary
Standard boss Bölöni, who took charge after the Liege club won their first title in 25 years under Michel Preud'homme, is wary of such talk. His side played some tremendous football in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round against Liverpool FC, yet still bowed out 1-0 on aggregate. They then gave Everton FC an almighty scare at Goodison Park in the first leg of their UEFA Cup first-round tie, but only earned a 2-2 draw. The coach will take results over artistic merit.
Midfield contest
"I won't shout that we are favourites," said the canny Romanian. "We've got as many points as Anderlecht and Mouscron. The battle will be decided in midfield. There you have four internationals playing each other: Jan Polák and Guillaume Gillet [for Anderlecht] and Steven Defour and Axel Witsel [for Standard]. I won't settle for a draw. I want to win – how we do that matters less. Against Liverpool we played the right way but still got knocked out."
Grim statistics
Anderlecht coach Ariël Jacobs knows victory is a big ask for the Brussels team. They have not won a league game at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne since 24 August 2002, or even scored there since 9 April 2004. "Standard have done well so far, but they have more attacking options than us," he said. "I am not jealous. My choices are easier. At this moment you could say that Standard are the favourites, but what judgements can you make after only five matches?"