Comment RAAL tackles a long international break without four players

RAAL La Louvière will spend the lengthy international break without four of its squad, all called up to youth national sides, as head coach Edward Still insists there will be no holidays but a substantial amount of work to be done.

Four internationals absent

The four missing players are Tajaouart, selected for Morocco U23; Courcoul, who features for France U20; Gruber, a Hungary U21 international; and Pereira‑Cardoso, called up by Luxembourg.

Their absence leaves a gap in the squad as the club prepares for the three‑week pause.

Physical and tactical focus

RAAL will have to adjust its line‑up and give minutes to other members of the roster, a task Still describes as essential for maintaining squad cohesion.

He believes the situation offers an opportunity to test younger players in competitive settings.

The club must Faire the extensive programme outlined by the coach.

‘There are countless work‑axes we want to improve,’ Still said. “We will use this period to strengthen the players physically and to make the most of the many days, because we are not a European team and our calendar is not overloaded.”

Friendly matches will be arranged behind closed doors, with opponents drawn from outside the Jupiler Pro League.

The first two weeks will concentrate on the club’s identity, defensive solidity and correcting the missing defensive gestures observed in recent games.

The third week will shift focus to the offensive phase, aiming to create more danger as the team has already shown at home.

A closed‑door friendly against a side from Bruges is slated for the final week.

Nathalie Dumont, linked with the Red Flames in handball, volleyball and rugby, highlighted the broader sporting context of the Mons‑Borinage‑Centre region.

She noted that the multi‑sport environment can inspire the footballers during the break.

Still hopes the recent 2‑0 defeat at Louvain does not linger in the players’ minds for too long.

He expects the intensive work during the break to rebuild confidence, tighten the defence and spark a more decisive attacking dynamic for the next league fixtures.