As the October international break ended in disappointment and jeopardy for Luxembourg, fans were itching to see their favourite clubs lift their mood as the National Division returned from their two-week hiatus.

F91 Dudelange were arguably the biggest losers of the break, as their four-game winning run came to an end on Sunday in Mondorf-les-Bains. Marco Martino’s team were outplayed from the start by the hosts, who look more and more in sync with manager David Zitelli’s instructions with every passing week.
 
Thanks to Mirza Hasanbegović, the Angry Goats took the lead after just over half an hour, and managed to hold onto it until the half-time interval. The second 45 minutes started in a similar fashion, and Yann Godart soon managed to double his team’s advantage after arriving perfectly for Sofiane Bekkouche’s cross.
 
The home fans could well have thought that an upset was on the cards, but a rampant last twenty minutes showed the energy and grit in this F91 team. Although they struggled to create throughout the game, individual brilliance shone through in the closing stages to see the game out with a draw. First, Filip Bojić found the net after a corner, before veteran striker Samir Hadji set the final scoreline with a dramatic late equaliser.
 
Despite the positive signs towards the end of the game, Dudelange fans will undoubtedly be disappointed with the outcome of the match, as the gap towards the top of the league has increased to five points. Meanwhile Mondorf’s situation looks admirably stable in the top half, closer to European aspirations than a relegation scrap in terms of the quality displayed.

Three games, three losses for new managers

International breaks provide the clubs with an extended period of time to change plans and adjust their objectives between two games, and that is why it has long been the most popular time to get rid of an underperforming head coach.
 
For various reasons, three teams decided to make a change in the dugout over the past few weeks. Fola Esch manager Stefano Bensi had previously told the board about his intention to resign as soon as a reasonable candidate was found, but it took until well into October for Ronny Souto to be unveiled as his official successor.
 
At Rodange, Frédéric Herinckx also made the decision to leave by himself, after facing confrontation from the board, namely sporting director Henid Ramdedović, over tactical instructions and personnel selection. Hérinckx felt his freedom in his role was limited, and opted to join second-division Marisca Mersch instead. His replacement, Mehdi El Alaoui, is most known as a frequent assistant to Carlos Fangueiro in recent years while the talented Portuguese boss made a name for himself in the Grand Duchy.
 
Mondercange manager Sébastien Mazurier was dismissed from his job after a truly dreadful start to the season yielding no points in the opening eight games. Joris Di Gregorio was appointed as the new boss, after a success-laden playing career but no managerial experience in the country.
 
Rodange and Fola fared equally well in their first outing under their respective new regimes, but ultimately fell short as clear underdogs. Rodange were 2-0 up against Jeunesse Esch deep into the second half, only for the record champions to make a magical comeback by scoring thrice in the space of thirteen minutes, their efforts led by young striker Alan Logrillo, who contributed with a goal and an assist.
 
Fola travelled to the Jos Haupert arena in Niederkorn, and bounced back quickly after falling behind, courtesy of a Madiu Bari equaliser. Progrès striker Junior Burban’s second goal of the game was again responded to by Bari, before a rapidfire double from the Wasps cleared all doubts early in the second half. From 4-2, there was really no way back for a brave but visibly clumsy Fola team, who often looked disorganised in the defence after overcommitting to a counter-attack opportunity. Antoine Mazure added a fifth for good measure, meaning the Eschers find themselves in the relegation zone, already five points away from safety.
 
For Mondercange, things never really clicked this time around. Hosting a Wiltz team that had not won a competitive fixture since 4 August, it looked like the perfect occasion for FCM to collect their first points and start a clean slate under Di Gregorio. Instead, they found themselves trailing after four minutes, thanks to a foul from goalkeeper Teddy da Silva resulting in a penalty. Wiltz’s dynamic attackers Benjamin Romeyns and Nawfel Saïdi were able to capitalise on two further defensive mistakes after latching onto balls sent in behind, and made it 3-0 for the Northerners.
 
With their latest win (the first one for Mikhail Zaritsky as Wiltz manager), the Ardennes team are closing in on Rodange, currently occupying a relegation play-off place. It comes as no surprise that Mondercange are still sitting bottom of the table, with the worst attacking record and zero wins since the beginning of the season.

Around the pitches

FC Differdange continue their march towards a title defence by dismantling Bettembourg 3-0 on the road. Jorginho and Guillaume Trani combined for the opener, before Artur Abreu scored upon his return from injury. Adham El Idrissi later added a third goal in stoppage time, one minute after being subbed on by manager Pedro Resende.
 
Victoria Rosport added a crucial three points to their tally for the season by scoring four goals in the lower-half derby against Hostert. Yan Bouché and summer signing Julian Markvoort Beke registered two goals each, while the defence only conceded one in the absence of Hostert winger and league top scorer Kenan Avdusinović.
 
UNA Strassen continue to show their strength in defeating any other European contender outside of the traditional heavyweights by seeing off Union Titus Pétange in a cagey encounter. Nicolas Perez’s early strike proved the difference between the two sides, as Strassen held on to the scoreline and their position on the table in sixth.
 
Swift Hesper won the most hyped match-up of the weekend, playing Racing Union Luxembourg on Saturday primetime. In the end, the match delivered a cautious, tight affair between two sides eager to settle for a one-goal win. It was Dominik Stolz’s strike which tipped the balance in the favour of the 2023 champions, who became the first team to beat Racing Union at a competitive fixture since the arrival of talented manager Yannick Kakoko in the capital.