Boli Bolingoli suffers a setback, Standard Liège could be without a left-back against Beerschot

Brought on after Henry Lawrence’s red card, Boli Bolingoli was substituted with a quarter of an hour to go. The 29-year-old suffered a relapse, the severity of which is not yet known.

Several pieces of bad news accompanied Standard Liège’s defeat in Kortrijk on Sunday. Firstly, the most obvious: sent off shortly after the half-hour mark, Henry Lawrence will not be in the squad to face Beerschot next weekend.

With his team down to ten men, Ivan Leko decided to take off Soufiane Benjdida just after the red card, bringing on Boli Bolingoli on the left and pushing Marko Bulat up a notch.

Boli Bolingoli suffered a relapse on the pitch in Kortrijk

But, in the second half, Bolingoli also had to be replaced, by Ilay Camara. The reason was the feared one: the 29-year-old suffered a relapse.

The mixed zone in Kortrijk is a small corridor located below the stand of the KVK’s most vocal supporters, right next to the dressing rooms. The players have no choice but to pass through it to reach the bus a few metres further on.

Boli Bolingoli passed in front of us as we waited for the reactions of Marlon Fossey and Ibe Hautekiet. With an ice pack in hand and a marked expression, the 29-year-old couldn’t hide his disappointment, sadness, or even inner rage at not being able to string together games without feeling pain.

Fossey on the left, and Camara on the right against Beerschot?

It will be a long week and the Rouches’ medical staff will have time, as early as Monday, to take a more precise look at Bolingoli’s situation. In the meantime, Ivan Leko may find himself deprived of both his left-backs, and will then have to improvise. By moving Marlon Fossey to the left, and leaving the right side to Ilay Camara?

“I’m not sure. It’s always sad to see Boli in pain, he started the match well. Henry has also just played three and a half incredible games, so we’ll see what happens and how we prepare for the next game. Calut can also play on the left, so we already have an option there. I’ve already played in that position a few times in my career, but I think Calut is more than capable of doing it,” commented the American. Another dilemma for Leko.