The two teams currently occupying the first two spots in the BGL Ligue are meeting at Stade Jos Nosbaum on Sunday in what is likely to function as a de facto title decider.
Therefore, I am trying to shed some light on a couple of the key areas that could well prove to be crucial factors between victory and defeat.
F91 Dudelange have certainly had their chance. Winning last week’s fixture against Strassen would have resulted in a lot more comfortable five-point lead on top of the table, with 3 of their last 4 matches being against relegation candidates, too. In that scenario, Dudelange could have had their hands on the title, safe in the knowledge that seven points against Hesper, Rodange, Hamm Benfica and Wiltz 71 would have been sufficient.
Now enter Ramiro Valente into the plot. The 33-year old midfielder’s brace to turn the game on its head ensured Dudelange will be in for a nerve-wracking season finale. Nicolas Perez added Strassen’s third goal of the day, exploiting an amateur mistake from defender Kobe Cools.
It was certainly a rare defeat for Dudelange and a bitter pill to swallow to say the least, but it was the perfect result for the neutrals. Football can produce the best storylines, and this time it’s hard to think of a way this title race could be more exhilarating. After all, there is a great chance the winner of the competition will be decided by this 90 minutes alone.
The two clubs’ run-ins:
F91: Hesper (H), Rodange (A), Hamm Benfica (H), Wiltz (A)
Hesperange: F91 (A), Jeunesse Esch (H), Hostert (A), Racing Luxembourg (H)
On paper, Hesperange’s schedule would look somewhat harder, but if we take into account that Jeunesse Esch and Racing Luxembourg have few aims they could realistically achieve in the season, it could be a relatively easy ride for Hesper after this weekend’s crucial encounter.
Dudelange’s scenario, on the other hand, could hardly be more different from Hesper’s. Although they play some of the weakest opponents possible, Hamm Benfica is the only team among those whose fate is already decided. Rodange’s recent upturn in form makes them unlikely contenders to pull off a great escape, but they still have a glimmer of hope to cling onto, and will now have to get the most out of it.
Hesper on the cusp of writing history
If we talk about the achievements in the clubs’ history (both long- and short-term), F91 Dudelange’s trophy cabinet looks a lot more attractive. Dudelange have won seven of the last 11 editions of BGL Ligue and their European runs into consecutive group stages cemented their position as the dominant team in the country. Meanwhile, the only illustrious piece of silverware Swift Hesperange have won in their 106-year history is the 1989/90 Coupe de Luxembourg. The Red-and-Whites have, in fact, spent most of their history in the lower divisions, thus everything that has happened since their 2019/20 promotion season has been a fairytale for the supporters.
Hesperange’s most influential player in this truly historic campaign has arguably been Dominik Stolz (important to note that he had spent four productive seasons in Dudelange right before his 2020 Hesperange arrival; thus, he has been involved in both Europa League group stage seasons!). The ageing German playmaker finds the net often as well, so much so that he’s currently still in with a chance to become the top scorer in the league. And although this statistic could lead people to assume that Hesper’s attack is dangerously Stolz-reliant, this is not the case. Both of Hesper’s main strikers, former Dijon player Rayan Philippe and Juventus academy product Benjamin Mokulu have picked up form for the second half of the season, and their contributions have definitely made an easily recognisable difference on the league table, too.
Dudelange’s fluid attacking system relied on several players producing almost equal goalscoring outputs, but that has resulted in the lack of F91 strikers among the top marksmen of the season. Instead, the outstanding figure is an attacking midfielder here as well, in Dejvid Sinani, who’s enjoying his first Dudelange season after signing from reigning champions Fola Esch in the summer. He’s labelled as the most valuable player on the Dudelange squad by transfermarkt.co.uk, ahead of easy-on-the-eye wing-back Kévin van der Kerkhof and defensive mainstay Charles Morren.
We are set for some particularly delicious match-ups on the pitch, as two of the league’s most prolific midfielders meet eye to eye, while there could be a high number of duels between experienced national team players Edvin Muratovic and Kévin Malget. In the dugouts, another fascinating battle is likely to be seen between Carlos Fangueiro’s 3-4-1-2 and Aniello Parisi’s 4-3-3.
One thing is certain; regardless of the result, this will be an enthralling contest between the two sides. Dudelange seem to have the upper hand at the moment, given their slightly easier draw and the current two-point advantage they have on Hesper, but in the spring season, Hesper have been a team that cannot be written off. The best defence in the league will have to stand their ground and produce a moment of brilliance.
Whatever happens, it sure will be dramatic.
