Their respective wives fooled around before, during and after the flight to Italy. Nordin Jackers and Simon Mignolet themselves also correspond well. Both Limburgers. Both sensible guys. Both good goalkeepers. But only one can play.
“I don’t have to make that choice,” said Hans Vanaken. “Luckily,” he didn’t say, because it is an extremely difficult one. “Simon has been doing very well for years, but a few weeks ago he injured himself and Nordin replaced him perfectly. (laughs) I need to look to my right.”
To the right of Vanaken at the press conference was interim coach Nicky Hayen. “The decision has been made. I spoke to Nordin and Simon. I won’t say who’s playing, you’ll see. The opponent is listening.”
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Hayen called it “a luxury problem”. If that word is appropriate, Hayen can’t lose, but is that true? It remains to be seen. Mignolet has been an added value player since time immemorial, he almost single-handedly brought Club success and won the Golden Boot. Moreover, he assisted Hayen shortly after his appointment to help bring about the turnaround. Can you simply keep a living legend like Mignolet on the bench for a semi-final? Then you risk losing him.
Jackers, in turn, performed perfectly in the play-offs and Europe, with six clean sheets and several good saves. Similar question as with Mignolet: can you victimize such a person? There are people within Club who think he will just stay put.
From a purely sporting point of view, Hayen is right: he cannot make a wrong decision today. Both Jackers and Mignolet offer quality, no matter who is playing. In that respect, Club does not have to worry.
Who on the left?
It will also be interesting to see who sets up Hayen on the left flank. Bjorn Meijer and Maxim De Cuyper are in balance with each other on the left back. As for the left front, it seems to be between Antonio Nusa and Ferran Jutgla. Jutgla is in top form, Nusa is searching, but on the other hand, the Norwegian can force something against any opponent with a dribble. For the rest, few surprises are expected in the starting eleven.
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Fiorentina could rotate, Club could not, but freshness is not an issue for Vanaken: “We don’t feel tired because things are going so well. We are in a good flow, even though it is very busy. We shouldn’t be afraid of anyone.”
All the more so because Club also has weapons on the bench. Andreas Skov Olsen as a joker: every club will sign up for that. And then also Nusa or Jutgla. Just before the decisive weeks, Club can count on its entire selection. Also under the bar. And that makes it difficult…
