Standard Liege vs Sevilla preview - Standard look to Vukomanovic

Posted Thursday, October 23, 2014 by PA

Standard Liege's caretaker manager Ivan Vukomanovic will take charge of his first match against Sevilla in Europa League Group G after the Belgian club clarified his position with UEFA.

Vukomanovic is the man charged with restoring a semblance of calm to Standard, who saw their game with Zulte-Waregem on Sunday suspended in the 89th minute as furious fans threw seats and fencing on to the pitch with the hosts 2-1 down.

That was the latest setback in a season that has gone badly off the rails already, with last season's Pro League runners-up languishing in 11th place.

Manager Guy Luzon resigned within 24 hours of the incident, with former midfielder Vukomanovic named as his temporary replacement.

There were question marks over whether the 37-year-old, who does not possess a UEFA pro licence, would be permitted to take charge from the dugout but it has been confirmed that he has a short-term dispensation.

A brief statement from Standard read: "Our club received confirmation on Tuesday that Ivan Vukomanovic can coach without problems on Thursday even though he does not currently hold a UEFA licence.

"The UEFA rule provides for a transition period of 60 days during which the requirement of having a coach holds the pro licence is suspended."

Hosts in such apparent disarray would, on paper, represent easy pickings for the reigning Europa League champions Sevilla.

Unai Emery's side are top of the section and second in the Primera Division - a point ahead of Real Madrid after eight matches - and the coach has made it clear he will take the chance to rest key players at Stade Maurice Dufrasne.

"We need to keep all the players at the maximum, it is linked to performance levels and it is necessary," he told a pre-match press conference.

"We will need performances again on the following Sunday, then Wednesday again, and this requires players to be prepared to give all on the pitch. So we have to make rotations to maintain a performance-oriented (philosophy), but always considering that who we have on the field has the ability to overcome their opponents.

"There are players who have to step forward and perhaps have not so far because there has not been room for them. On Thursday they will have that opportunity, how many I don't know but there will be changes."