After a few weeks of waiting, soccer is finally here tomorrow! Club will practice for the first time this season at The NEST against Zulte Waregem. Fully prepared? As usual, you can do that with the Club Facts!
THE OPPONENT
Zulte Waregem dropped out of the Jupiler Pro League at the end of April after 18 seasons. The club is ambitious to return quickly to the highest level and reinforced its ambition by signing strongmen Jelle Vossen and Ruud Vormer. In the new formula of the Challenger Pro League there are at least 2 promoters so we might see the provincials back in First soon.
However, the club did have to say goodbye to standout Alieu Fadera. The Gambian striker moved to vice-champion KRC Genk. Zulte Waregem also said goodbye to goalkeeper Sammy Bossut after 17 seasons. Finally, mercenaries Karol Fila and Oleksandr Drambaiev also returned to their team of origin.
Coach of Essevee is still Frederik D'Hollander. He took over the helm from Mbaye Leye in March and continues to set the lines in 1B as well.
For the third year in a row, the two clubs will play friendly against each other. In 2021, Essevee was the fourth opponent in the preparation. Club then beat Zulte Waregem 2-1 (Goals: Pérez (2x) | Vossen). In 2022, Club played several practice matches during the World Cup break. Essevee was the last of them. Club made it 3-0 (Goals: Meijer, Larin, Jutglà).
OUR CLUB
On Saturday our new coach, Norwegian Ronny Deila, will be between the lines for the first time. He came over from Standard Liege as head coach, along with his assistant Efraín Juárez (Mex). Coach Rik De Mil also stayed on board.
Club kicks off the new season with four new players. Pole Michal Skoras and Spaniard Víctor Barberá will have to wait, but Brazilian striker Igor Thiago did start immediately in the preparation. Maxim De Cuyper will also soon rejoin Blauw-Zwart.
