The Pot 4 Club – Genk

We all know everything about the major clubs that play Champions League football year-in, year-out, right? Pot 1 – with its Chelseas, Arsenals and Real Madrids – is old news. Pot 4 is where the fun’s at. Introducing a new feature on Just Football: The Pot 4 Club. Here we take a look at all eight Pot 4 clubs, with the lowdown from the writers who know them best. Here’s Belgian football blogger Chris Mayer with an analysis of Genk.

Club: Genk

Straight outta’: Belgium

Group: E – with Chelsea, Bayer Leverkusen and Valencia

Recent History

Based in Limburg in the Flemish region of Belgium, KRC Genk really were a sleeping giant until the late 1990’s, when Aimé Anthuenis brought the team up to the top division, culminating in their first league title in 1999. He left and Genk flirted between contender and mid-table. Sef Vergoossen lifted the league title in 2002, which sent them into the Champions League group stage the following year. The club underwent more managerial instability until Anthuenis’ former apprentice Franky Vercauteren joined in 2009. He brought more emphasis on youth for the club and they reaped the dividends last season, lifting the league title on the final game of last season against Standard Liège. Then he left right in the midst of the Champions League playoff game against Maccabi Haifa to manage in Abu Dhabi.

What can their opponents expect?

If this season is to go by, not much. Vercauteren’s departure was a shock to everyone at the club and they’ve struggled to focus on the field. Too many dropped points from leading positions is exactly the opposite of the Genk team that won the title, often holding onto vital wins at the death.

If new coach Mario Been manages to awaken the title-winning team, opposing teams can expect to see fast countering. But given the group opponents, Genk could have to defend for their lives. This isn’t exactly an ideal scenario given that Torben Joneleit, the main fast centre-back, is out for the season with knee ligament damage.

The Cristal Arena when full provides a great atmosphere. It’s bound to be with the calibre of the teams visiting in the Group Stage. The club’s die-hard fans can be found in Tribune Zuid (South Stand) and this where you will hear the loudest noise.

Tactical Analysis

Under Vercauteren, Genk played a solid 4-4-2, with full-backs overlapping on the flank to provide crosses. Mario Been would be wise to keep to this strategy. You suspect that Genk won’t have much of the possession against these bigger opponents so it’s vital that they strike on the break with their young talent. I’d say Genk are normally a balanced unit, holding the ball and are able to play centrally or on the wings, favouring the left.

Manager

Mario Been was presented as the new coach at the end of August. It’s an unusual situation to be in for the Dutchman. His last spell at Feyenoord went terribly as he lost the confidence of his own players and now he’s been given a big chance in Belgium. It would be harsh to prejudge him but he has a huge task to repeat the feats of his predecessor.

Key Players

In the midfield, Daniel Toszer and captain David Hubert sit deep and create, with Toszer especially deadly from free-kicks. Jelle Vossen is the team’s poacher up front, usually with industrious Elyaniv Barda off him in the hole. In the qualifying rounds, Barda was arguably the team’s driving force and along with Lazlo Koteles, he was the main reason they reached the promised land. Czech full-back Daniel Pudil is another important player. He reminds me of Leighton Baines, often bombing forward and creating a perfect cross.

One To Watch

Kevin De Bruyne is one of Belgium’s next youth talents to breakthrough. Last season, he came of age, scoring sensational long rangers and providing 16 assists. He has boundless energy on the left hand side, before cutting in. He can play centrally equally as well and is often the link-up between the front two. Chelsea have reportedly held a long-term interest in De Bruyne and this is the ideal platform to show suitors what you are made of. He is however injured at the moment, but should figure in the group stage at some point.

You may not know

Lei Clijsters, father of tennis ace Kim played centre-back at the club during the 1980’s. Kim herself is a big fan of the club. Slightly more surreal, Genk didn’t have proper dugout seats until the beginning of last season, finally ditching the white garden furniture. No expenses are spared at Genk.

Prediction

Bottom of the group. Even before the draw, Genk were considered rank outsiders. They wanted some big teams to visit Genk and they got their wish. They’ll just enjoy being the competition and representing the country. Only with huge luck (or a collapse of one of the other teams) do I see them staying in Europe via the Europa League.

Next to join The Pot 4 Club – Borussia Dortmund. Follow Just Football on Twitter to keep updated.

Chris Mayer can be found over at the excellent The Belgian Waffle or on Twitter @chrismayerv1

Belgium, Champions League, Genk, The Pot 4 Club