What happened?

RAAL La Louviere lost 2‑1 to Union Rochefortoise on July 4 2026 in a friendly at the Stade du Pays de Charleroi. The visitors opened the scoring in the 23rd minute through Milan Bouchard and doubled the lead in the 68th minute with a header by Lucas Dufour. RAAL pulled one back in the 77th minute via a free‑kick from Johan Van den Broeck, but could not find an equaliser.

Why does this matter for RAAL La Louviere?

The defeat marks the final warm‑up before the Jupiler Pro League season, giving the coaching staff a clear view of current form. Coach Stéphane Demol said after the match that the players “have the cards in hand for a good season,” yet the defensive shape still needs polishing. The result highlights the need to shore up the back line before competitive pressure mounts.

What lessons does the club take?

The game showed that RAAL’s attack, led by Nicolas Dewaele, is not yet fully synchronized. Despite Van den Broeck’s goal, the ball often drifted wide, allowing Union to create chances. The coach indicated that training will now focus on quick combinations and closing the gaps between lines. Additionally, the physical intensity, which waned in the second half, will receive extra attention.

What’s next on the agenda?

Following this friendly loss, RAAL La Louviere kicks off its official season on August 12 2026 against KRC Genk. The club has one final preparation session scheduled for August 9, focusing on set‑pieces and finishing. Fans can brace for an exciting start, as the team finished 7th last campaign and aims for a top‑4 finish.

Who stood out?

Union’s Milan Bouchard scored the opening goal, while Johan Van den Broeck impressed with his free‑kick. For RAAL, Nicolas Dewaele was the creative engine, delivering two key passes that nearly resulted in a goal. Young defender Thibaut Lemoine earned significant minutes and displayed a solid first half, reassuring the coach about squad depth.