Belgian Pro League 2023/24: How Carl Hoefkens has started stabilising Standard Liège – tactical analysis

Standard Liège did not have the greatest start to the new season under their new manager, Carl Hoefkens, with the Belgian side losing 3 of their opening four matches and drawing the other. However, the Belgian manager has begun stabilising the side, with Standard unbeaten in their last six matches, putting them only two points back of the Championship playoff places. A lot of this stability has come defensively, with Standard conceding the second-fewest goals in the Pro League this season. 

This tactical analysis and scout report will take a look at the defensive side of the game for Standard Liège, as well as a brief look at the attack as well. While defensively, they may be solid, there is still work to do going forward, with only 10 goals scored this season, one of the lowest tallies in the Belgian Pro League. 

Covering well in defensive phases to prevent spaces

The main thing that Standard Liège have been able to do well in the last few matches defensively is tracking and passing runners on. Under Hoefkens, the Belgian side have typically set up in some variation of a back four system defensively, but at times recently have also shifted to a back five to offer more solidity from a defensive standpoint. 

The data viz graphic above shows the defensive territory of Standard Liège so far this season, showing the average areas in the pitch where they tend to commit defensive actions. As we can see from this graphic, the average area of their engagement is right around the midfield circle, with the Belgian side not looking to operate with an extremely high line. As mentioned, what they have been able to do really well in previous weeks is not get pulled out of position by opposition movements, instead passing players on to limit the chances of a defensive breakdown. 

Being able to stay in this solid defensive structure has allowed Standard the ability to have players in superior positions for quick counterattacking moves, something they have shown recently to be very effective at in the last few matches. Another thing they have been able to do well recently is to defend the penalty box extremely well when balls are played into this area, as illustrated by the amount of interceptions they have in this zone. A lot of credit can also go to goalkeeper Arnaud Bodart, with the Belgian having a superb season so far between the sticks for Hoefkens side.