Charleroi Coach Hans Cornelis Keeps Faith Ahead of Crucial Cup Tie
Second Leg Against Union St-Gilloise Looms Large
Charleroi, currently managed by Hans Cornelis since December, faces Union St-Gilloise in the second leg of their Croky Cup semi-final on Wednesday. The first leg ended 0-0, giving Union the home advantage.
Everyone says that Union is the favorite, especially at home. It is up to us to deal with this in the right way.Hans Cornelis, Charleroi Coach
Despite the challenges, Cornelis remains optimistic. “I feel in the group that we are going to show something. If you think in advance that it will be difficult, then in my opinion you will be 1-0 behind before kick-off. That is not good,” he stated.
Cornelis’ Vision for the Game
- Play Charleroi’s own game
- Show intensity and confidence on the ball
- Avoid thinking of Union as favorites
Cornelis emphasized, “The most important thing is that we play our own game, with a lot of intensity and confidence on the ball. Everyone knows that it is an important match, but it is not that we have to win. We want to win.”
Charleroi’s Recent Form: A Mixed Bag
Charleroi, under Cornelis, has had a mixed bag of results. While they’ve shown excellent form, they surprisingly lost 3-4 to Cercle Brugge last weekend in the competition. This unexpected loss came ahead of their crucial match against Union, who remain undefeated at home in the Jupiler Pro League this season.
Cornelis: “You Always Have to Believe in It”
There always has to be a team that will win for the first time. Look what happened to us. No team had scored a goal here in 2026, and then Cercle scored four. You always have to believe in it.Hans Cornelis, Charleroi Coach
What the Fans Are Asking
Q: How can Charleroi upset Union at home?
By focusing on their own game, avoiding the pressure of Union being favorites, and playing with intensity and confidence.
Pro Tip from Hans Cornelis
Don’t assume difficulty; instead, focus on your strengths and the belief in your team.
Looking Ahead
Wednesday’s semi-final second leg promises an intense encounter. With Hans Cornelis’ unyielding belief, Charleroi could very well surprise Union and book their spot in the Croky Cup final.
Kick-off: Wednesday, March 22, 20:45 CET at the Dudenpark, home of Union St-Gilloise.
Call-to-Action:
What do you think of Hans Cornelis’ approach? Share your thoughts in the comments below and subscribe to our newsletter for more exclusive sports updates!