Sport
Did Standard play their best game of the season on Saturday against Westerlo? Ronny Deila and the players ensured it after a success full of control (2-0). The figures also validate the impression, confirming in passing the current state of form.
Based on the last eight games played, Standard is indeed in the top 3, along with Antwerp, Genk and Union, the current top 3 in the championship. The streak, which began on January 17 against Mechelen and the 2-0 success, provides information on three other victories (3-1 against Eupen; 2-4 at Union; 2-0 against Westerlo), two draws (1-1 at Cercle Bruges; 2-2 to Standard) and two defeats (4-0 against Antwerp; 0-2 against Kortrijk).
With a record of fourteen points taken out of twenty-four, the Rouches seem to have found the right fuel. The victory against Westerlo, revealed to the statistics, confirms that with this momentum, the group of Ronny Deila has the means to finish the season well. To finish in the top 4 would be a real performance, considering where the club comes from.
Nearly 600 passes including 88 in the last third, a “record”
The first statistic that jumps out, after Westerlo, is the number of assists (590), the second highest total of the season after that against St-Trond (604). Against the Canaries, the Rouches had snatched a point (1-1) at the last minute, because they had been too ineffective in the offensive zone.
However, against the Campinese, Standard added 88 passes in the last third, an area that Ronny Deila has often pointed out, for its lack of presence and efficiency. This is the first time this season that Zinckernagel and his teammates have been so present in the opposing side, adding danger and combinations, like the first goal.
The opinion of the expert after Standard-Westerlo: the Union was their strength
With 22 shots on goal, including 5 on target, the Rouches also reached their second total of the season. The previous “record” had however ended in defeat: against OH Louvain, Standard had finished the match with 23 shots on goal, including nine on target, to end up being beaten 1-3.
This is sometimes the difficulty for Standard this season: validating possession in the finishing zone. Against Westerlo, the Liégeois had the ball for 57.43% of the time. This may seem important, for a team that is experiencing or was experiencing rapid transitions, to forge its successes.
It’s only the ninth overall, though. The results in the previous eight matches? Four defeats, two draws and barely two successes, thanks to two penalties against Cercle Bruges (2-0) at the start of the season and a slow success at Zulte Waregem (0-3).
Zero shots on target conceded, a first
This time Standard had possession, made very good use of it, with clearer passing patterns and complementary runs to find the right spaces. The consistency of Saturday night’s game is also to be seen in the defensive zone.
Standard were involved in the duels, 118 at attacking level, which gives an idea of the high pressing installed, and which illustrates the sentence of Aron Donnum after the meeting: “We didn’t let Westerlo breathe.”
Ronny Deila savors the beautiful victory of Standard: “We played our best game of the season”
Jonas De Roeck’s team did not attempt any shots on target, out of the seven attempts. This is the lowest total of chances conceded by the Rouches this season. From a defensive point of view, Ronny Deila has been quite satisfied in recent weeks. Offensively, he was also able to see the progress and the match against Westerlo puts his group in a favorable situation.
Sixth, one point behind Club Brugge, where they will go this Sunday, Standard could have a little more of a good fourth-class lead if they succeed in the Venice of the North and if Ghent does not win at Zulte Waregem. He would virtually no longer be in the top 4, he would be there for good.
