Club NXT U19 won its last match in the Youth League with the smallest difference in Leverkusen. A penalty goal by Mathis Servais made the difference.
Goalkeeper Axl De Corte was in the starting lineup and made his debut. From the first team, Jorne Spileers and Kyriani Sabbe dropped out. They were part of the A-core selection at the Championsleague game the night before at the Bay Arena. Captain Engels was suspended and striker Romeo Vermant, among others, was rested in view of the important game in Beveren next Saturday.
Both teams kept each other nicely balanced at the start of the match. There was a bit of a scare when Kanga intercepted a back pass and went straight at goalie De Corte. Fortunately he kicked right at our young goalkeeper. On the other side, the newly fifteen-year-old Diawara was very active. His first attempt was blocked. Servais kicked the ensuing corner kick and was then able to blast towards the German goalkeeper himself. Unfortunately, the zero remained on the scoreboard. Gradually Club NXT U19 gained the upper hand. Many attacks led to nice crosses in front of goal, but our youngsters often came up just a bit too short. Talbi rushed past many opponents on the left and gave a nice assist to Diawara, who came centimeters too short to net the 0-1. Blauw Zwart put more and more pressure. Lenn De Smet was pushed over in the penalty area during an action on the right, but the Montenegrin referee did not see a penalty. Even when Servais pushed through on the left for once, no one from Club NXT was in the box to finish. The last chance to take the lead came through Diawara who shot straight at goalkeeper Neutgens from very close range. It resulted in a glasses score at halftime. Club NXT U19 deserved more.
