Abe should not have started
And to think that Shuto Abe certainly should not have started this meeting. Substitute during the match in Charleroi, Yannick Ferrera preferring Dwomoh, the Japanese seemed destined for the same status this weekend. Until we learned of the young Belgian midfielder's withdrawal. “Nothing serious for Pierre but we didn’t want to take unnecessary risks”specifies Yannick Ferrera, who therefore entrusted the keys to the recovery position to the Japanese.
A trust that Shuto Abe repaid in his coach by signing his best match since his arrival in Molenbeek. “I don't like to talk about a particular guy but it's true that Shuto delivered a great match. We saw him in many places on the pitch, present to defend but also to attack. It is no coincidence that he scored these two goals. It's the reward for a player who works, who has the merit of following from the penalty and making the effort to support the counter on the 2-1.”adds the RWDM coach.
Abe the collector, Reine-Adélaïde the distributor
As he had done against Charleroi a week earlier, Yannick Ferrera placed Reine-Adélaïde at the heart of the game, in a midfield position, thus leaving the role of free player to Mercier. Dwomoh unavailable, the RWDM coach placed the restless and hardworking Shuto Abe alongside the former Lyon and Arsenal player. A winning choice, as the complementarity is obvious between Abe the collector and Reine-Adélaïde the distributor. “Shuto is someone who doesn't shy away from his efforts. He recovers the balls, he projects well, his recovery work is quite impressive and does me a lot of good”confirms Jeff Reine-Adélaïde.
Shuto is someone who doesn't shy away from his efforts.
The new captain of RWDM appreciates the mentality of his teammate. “This Saturday, he was in the light and he deserves it, because he works hard every day. He is someone who never gives up. Even if he doesn't play much, he shows us that he is still with us. Against Eupen he had the opportunity to start and he showed that he deserved this place.”
Even if the Japanese does not speak French and only knows a few notions of English, the duo manages to understand each other in midfield. “In football, we always manage to understand each other. And then Shuto makes your life easier. He is someone who is very happy every day, and above all very hardworking. An example for everyone. What happens to him, he deserves it more than anyone.”
Sarr's return
It now remains to be seen what the RWDM midfielder will look like during the next meeting if Dwomoh is fit, especially since this Saturday, Mamadou Sarr made his return to competition. Coming into the game to replace Mercier, the player on loan from Lyon came to place himself alongside Abe in the middle, allowing Reine-Adélaïde to play higher up and in a freer role. Sarr who only needed a few minutes to demonstrate his full importance, whether through his impact in duels or his calm and technique in construction. It remains to be seen who will pay for his return…
A click before the double confrontation with Kortrijk
By winning against Eupen, the RWDM left the red lantern to take the place of roadblock. A golden deal that could well serve as a trigger. “I hope but I don't want to get ahead of myself, I have to stay focused. It’s not even a step that we took, we just took three points”explains Reine-Adélaïde.
Confirmation is expected during the next two meetings, with a double confrontation against Kortrijk which could be decisive. “All the matches are decisive, I hope that next Sunday's will be open. We know it will be difficult to play on the pitch, but we have to build on the confidence we gained this weekend.”
