Excelsior Virton

Match report

Excelsior Virton fell 0:1 to France-Bouron in the third round of the Challenger Pro League on Saturday. The visitors took all three points at home soil, ending the hosts' perfect start to the season. It was a result that shifts the early balance in Table 3.

The decisive moment came in the 67th minute when M. Bastian found the net for France-Bouron. Virton had dominated possession and territory without breaking through, so when the visitors went for the jugular, they struck. And here's the thing — the goal arrived after Virton had already seen off pressure through their defensive shape.

The statistics tell a familiar story. Virton held 44 per cent possession but managed only four shots on target from nine attempts. France-Bouron, with 56 per cent of the ball, were less clinical with 6 shots on target from 15 attempts. By then, the game had settled into a rhythm where chances were at a premium.

Both managers made heavy changes in the final quarter. Six substitutions appeared between the 68th and 88th minutes — R. Asante, P. Wade, Y. Kari, G. Arib, K. Masangu, D. Ndongala, I. Goudani, E. Kari, R. Monticelli and J. Ntenda all entered the action. The visitors saw the game out without adding to their advantage.

The result keeps Virton top of the table with 6 points from two wins, though their unbeaten run is now over. France-Bouron move up to 3 points from one victory and one defeat, remaining in eighth place. What matters is this — the hosts will have to regroup quickly before the next fixture.

Prepared from match data

Key numbers

Possession, % 44 – 56.00

Shots on target 4 – 6

Shots off target 4 – 9

Attacks 90 – 103

⚽ 67' M. Bastian — Goal ⇄ 68' R. Asante — Substitution ⇄ 68' P. Wade — Substitution ⇄ 68' Y. Kari — Substitution ⇄ 68' G. Arib — Substitution ⇄ 80' K. Masangu — Substitution ⇄ 80' D. Ndongala — Substitution ⇄ 81' I. Goudani — Substitution ⇄ 88' E. Kari — Substitution ⇄ 88' R. Monticelli — Substitution ⇄ 88' J. Ntenda — Substitution

Match events

67' 0:1 Francs Borains Goal M. Bastian assist: M. Francotte
68' 0:1 Francs Borains Substitution R. Asante off: C. Lavie
68' 0:1 Excelsior Virton Substitution P. Wade off: M. Guillaume
68' 0:1 Francs Borains Substitution Y. Kari off: N. Diliberto
68' 0:1 Excelsior Virton Substitution G. Arib off: T. Tormin
80' 0:1 Francs Borains Substitution K. Masangu off: E. Faucon
80' 0:1 Francs Borains Substitution D. Ndongala off: E. Faty
81' 0:1 Excelsior Virton Substitution I. Goudani off: L. Maiorano
88' 0:1 Excelsior Virton Substitution E. Kari off: M. Inchaud
88' 0:1 Francs Borains Substitution R. Monticelli off: L. Malungu
88' 0:1 Excelsior Virton Substitution J. Ntenda off: A. Diop

Statistics

44 Possession, % 56.00

4 Shots on target 6

4 Shots off target 9

90 Attacks 103

0 Corners 7

12 Free kicks 16

1 Offsides 1

12 Goal kicks 6

31 Throw-ins 27

All statistics

2 Blocked shots 7

0.40 Shot accuracy 0.27

Recent form

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