Genk 2-0 Burnley: Vincent Kompany’s men suffer first pre-season defeat in Belgium as James Trafford makes debut following £19m Manchester City switch

Genk 2-0 Burnley: Vincent Kompany’s men suffer first pre-season defeat in Belgium as James Trafford makes debut following £19m Manchester City switch

  • Burnley fell 2-0 to Belgian league runners-up Genk after early and late strikes
  • James Trafford made his debut and Andros Townsend played as a trialist
  • Vincent Kompany’s side suffered their first pre-season loss in Belgium 

Burnley’s unbeaten pre-season record has been ripped up as they lost 2-0 at KRC Genk. 

An eighth-minute goal from Yira Sor and a late hit from Tolu Arokodare saw the Belgians over the line on a frustrating evening for Vincent Kompany. 

James Trafford made his debut between the sticks for the Lancashire outfit after signing for £19m from Manchester City but could not carry his clean sheets record from the U21s Euros into this game. 

Striker Zeki Amdouni, who recently signed from Basel after 22 goals there last season, came on as a substitute, while Andros Townsend featured as a trailist. 

It was a nightmare start for the Clarets when Sor converted just eight minutes after kick-off, following up after Angelo Preciado’s effort was blocked.  

James Trafford, pictured after winning the U21s Euros with England, debuted as Burnley lost

Josh Brownhill looked to get his side back in it around 16 minutes in but saw his attempted denied by a defender’s legs. 

Scott Twine was a lively presence for Burnley and could have scored in either half. He rapped a half-volley wide of the mark early into the second half. 

The hosts almost added a second when new signing Christopher Bonsu Baah smacked a long-range attempt, but it went wide. 

But Genk got their reward for persistence in the closing minutes as Arokodare found the net for the home side in their last pre-season friendly. 

KRC Genk 2-0 Burnley 

Genk starting XI: Vandevoordt (45′ Van Crombrugge), Sadick (75′ McKenzie), Aziz (75′ Hrosovsky), Trésor (59′ Castro), Sor (75′ El Khannouss), El Hadj (59′ Bonsu Baah), Carstensen (75′ Munoz), Oyen (75′ Tolu), Galarza (75′ Paintsil), Kongolo (75′ Cuesta), Preciado (75′ Kayembe)

Goals: Sor 8’, Arokodare 89’ 

Burnley: Starting XI: Trafford, Roberts, Al-Dakhil, Beyer, Taylor, Cullen, Brownhill, Twine (Amdouni 76′), Vitinho (Townsend 60′), Zaroury Foster (Weghorst 79′)

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