This phrase must have undoubtedly been used by all the consultants in the world when it comes to predicting the future champion of any football competition. Even if, in Belgium, the points division rule far exceeds any other sporting deciding factor in the title race. But that is not the subject of this column. My remarks here focus more on the influence that the goalkeepers will have in this (artificially made) crazy race for the Champions Playoffs. Especially if these goalkeepers are not the first choice in the first place! Difficult to say that Senne Lammens – in place of the injured Jean Butez – will be decisive for Antwerp in the title race given the last position of the Antwerp club in these Champions Playoffs. Although perhaps he will be in the Cup final against Union… But take the case of Nordin Jackers in Bruges.
When he arrived at the start of the season, his second role behind the legend Simon Mignolet was clear. And yet, it is perhaps his turn to do Mignolet's trick by offering the title to his club on a platter in the coming weeks. Unless the great Simon returns and collects the laurels on the wire. Because it is also the characteristic of the reservist goalkeeper. And his ego must be compatible with this kind of scenario.
His ego must be compatible with this kind of scenario.
This is also what could also happen to Andriy Lunin at Real with a view to a probable Champions League final and the return from injury of… Thibaut Courtois. We can therefore never emphasize enough the importance of the second role of a reserve goalkeeper in the success of his titular counterpart.
Nordin Jackers, from shadow to light at Club Brugge
Colin Coosemans' tears in the Anderlecht locker room and the compassion of his teammates attest to this, his role far exceeded that of Kasper Schmeichel's understudy. He too had to accept without flinching to go from second to third and finally second again in the hierarchy of Anderlecht goalkeepers. With the drawback of not making too much noise behind the scenes and not being Danish. He finally ended up convincing Brian Riemer that beyond being his second or third goalkeeper on the field, he was above all one of his first goalkeepers in the locker room!
