Substitute Bafdilli gives KV Mechelen victory against Cercle Brugge in the final phase and keeps Malinwa in contention for the Champions play-offs

Cercle returned late last Sunday from the East Cantons with three points, but also with yellow nuisance. Top scorer Kévin Denkey scored twice, but also received his fifth yellow card. Hannes Van der Bruggen even his tenth and the duo was therefore suspended. Muslic had to move, also because Thibo Somers was still suffering too much from the concussion he suffered last week. As expected, Muslic posted Lemaréchal a little lower next to Lopes and allowed a second loanee from Monaco to make his debut with Efekele. Brazilian Felipe replaced Denkey at striker.

Striking at Cercle: in the absence of Somers and Van der Bruggen, Warleson was captain. The last time this happened he gave up the tire in extremis because it was pinching too much, apparently a solution had now been found. Jesper Daland was also a candidate to wear the band, but he received a frame at a small ceremony before the match for his 100th match in three Cercle seasons.

At KV Mechelen only the sick Mukau was missing and so Konaté started. The stakes were clear: KV Mechelen had to win to claim the Champions’ play-offs, and if Cercle wins, their chances will increase.

Expensive miss

Groen-zwart started as they have done since the first minute of this competition: with vertical football full of grinta. Mechelen was lucky that Coucke was awake after five minutes and Minda kept the 1-0. But Mechelen showed that it is the team of the last few weeks and gradually came more into the match.

However, Foulon’s sights were not well trained because he aimed high across the goal. An expensive miss because Warleson kicked far out and since the Bruges derby, all of Belgium knows how dangerous Alan Minda can be. No one could stop him at Mechelen either and Coucke saw his eleventh clean sheet go up in smoke.

© Isosport

Pure enthusiasts may not be fans of it and may not like it, but Cercle’s game remains very efficient. It was Warleson’s third time providing an assist. Mechelen also lost the injured Antonio, but did not let that discourage them. Pflücke also came in well and Mechelen looked for the equalizer. Attempts by Hairemans and Slimani were blocked or went over, but Cercle proved vulnerable on the flanks and Mrabti was in the right place in the box. It was the start of a few crazy minutes.

The 1-1 did not stay on the board for long. Lemaréchal swung a free kick to the far post, Popovic headed through and now Felipe, Denkey’s replacement, was in the right place and put Cercle back in the lead. Felipe immediately opened his account in the Jupiler Pro League, but he too could not enjoy it for long. Utkus and Miangue continued to see stars on their flank and the visitors made optimal use of the space. This time Mrabti was the leader and Hairemans was the finisher with the head: 2-2 and half time after an intensive first half.

© Isosport

Golden change from Hasi

Those who expected substitutions after the break were left disappointed. With Abu, Olaigbe, Siquet and Ravych there was quite a bit of quality on the Bruges bench, but most only returned from injury and Muslic clearly did not want to take too many risks. The season is not over yet and the field was very heavy and it rained incessantly. Cercle came out best, but not every ball fell well due to the condition of the field.

We had to wait for mistakes and space. And on replacements because Efekele dropped out at Cercle and was replaced by Abu Francis. Muslic also brought in Nazinhio for Olaigbe and he immediately made his mark. His shot was converted into a corner by Garananga. Now Cercle was clearly dominant and pressed Mechelen with its back on Coucke’s goal. But anyone who plays against this green-black knows that the second ball is important. Sliomani also understood this well, ran with it and laid well for Hairemans, but Geoff van Deurne Zuid’s ball exploded on the crossbar.

There was more in it for Mechelen, but Cercle was also looking for the third goal. Coucke had to push Abu Francis’ attempt into a corner. Besnik Hasi then threw his last two trump cards on the table with Storm and Bafdilli. And with success because Bafdilli already won with his second touch. At first Warleson was able to make a save, but he was beaten on the rebound. KV Mechelen was on cloud nine and they held their own in the six remaining minutes of added time. Mechelen now has 42 points and 1 point from Cercle, Genk and Ghent, so anything is still possible.

© Isosport

CERCLE BRUGES: Warleson – Utkus (83′ Lietaert), Popovic, Daland, Miangue – Lemaréchal (88′ Ouattara), Lopes, Minda, Efekele (61′ Abu Francis), Nazihno (61′ Olaigbe) – Felipe

KV MECHELEN: Coucke – Garananga (95′ Walsh, Bates, Cobbaut – Antonio (37′ Pflücke), Konate (84′ Storm), Schoofs (95′ Van Hecke), Foulon – Mrabti, Slimani, Hairemans (84′ Bafdilli)

GOALS: 22′ Minda (Warleson) 1-0, 40′ Mrabti (Hairemans) 1-1, 44′ Felipe (Popovic) 2-1, 45′ Hairemans (Mrabti) ​​2-2, 85′ Bafdilliu

YELLOW CARDS: 45′ Konaté, 47′ Garananga, 84′ Lemaréchal

RED CARDS: no

REFEREE: Jan Boterberg

SPECTATORS: 6588

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