Former FC Metz and RFC Seraing midfielder could be the key to OH Leuven’s revival | OneFootball

OH Leuven started their life under new head coach Felice Mazzu in fantastic fashion. The side romped to a 4-0 victory over Gent. For a side that has struggled to score goals in recent weeks, they looked reborn with greater confidence and purpose in their attacking play. While he may have only picked up on assist, Youssef Maziz showed why in many ways he could be the key to the sides revival. The former FC Metz and RFC Seraing man has shown in past seasons that he can contribute both goals and assists in the Belgian Pro League. The key for OH Leuven has been finding a head coach capable of getting the best out of him.

Both Chris Coleman and David Hubert appeared hesistant to play the 27-year-old Frenchman. During his first season with OH Leuven, Maziz played 36 games with eight goals and seven assists. He started 28 of the 34 league games he played that season. Last year, while Maziz played 40 times for the side, he only started 23 of the 37 games he played in the Pro League. Maziz also only contributed three goals and one assist in the league for OH Leuven. As a result, the club struggled to score.

This season, Maziz has only started five of the 12 league games he has appeared in. He has two goals and two assists, and it is of no coincidence that two of these assists have come in recent weeks when he has been starting games. It says a lot about how OH Leuven have performed this season when he now leads the side in assists and is joint second top scorer alongside central defender Roggerio Nyakossi. Mazzu surely must realise that getting Maziz going, making him a key component in how OH Leuven play, is crucial to improving their output in terms of goals.

Prior to that win over Gent, OH Leuven had only scored nine goals in 12 games. They now have 13 in 13 and the very early signs suggest that maybe, just maybe, Mazzu can be the man to finally get this club that has so much potential going in the right direction. However, Mazzu started well at Sint Truiden before things went south quickly, and the same could happen with OH Leuven. Yet, get Maziz going again, and maybe this time Mazzu can prove he still has something to offer at the top level of Belgian football.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson