Bokadi, the defensive marvel of Standard

On gala evenings, we remember the stars who, through their sparkles or their madness, dazzled the spectators. Rare are those who have looked at the costume designer or the person who allowed the artists to reveal themselves. Football suffers from the same observation with Philip Zinckernagel as a star against Club Brugge or Denis Dragus in the shoes of the genius artificer against Antwerp.

However, the two greatest successes obtained this season by Standard were made possible by the self-sacrifice and intransigence of a defense led by a Marvel Bokadi back to his best level. “I’m here to help others…” The Congolese’s favorite phrase and pure reality from week to week. Quietly, except during the muscle-packed shocks he offers his opponents, he regains the form that had allowed him to catch the eye of many observers during a 2020-2021 season that will last him. had seen it reach a quite simply exceptional level. If a cursed ankle injury had not occurred, his destiny would now be far from the edge of the Meuse…

However, he is always there, with his usual smile but above all a crazy assurance, regardless of the opponent who stands in his way. Ask their opinion of Roman Yaremchuk, the man with sixteen million in Bruges, or Vincent Janssens, the six brick man for Antwerp and you will hear only one thing: to move Merveille, you have to get up early. “If you are in good spirits, you should never be afraid”.

Everything is summed up in a few words. Since he put down his suitcases in Sclessin, the great defender has known everything, from serious injuries to the fight for maintenance. His mind is therefore made of steel and he is not the one who will let himself be carried away by so-called negative emotions. He does the job with sobriety, sometimes allowing himself a few arabesques which give as many cold sweats as joy to the spectators. An audience that will attend this Sunday a new duel of men, between Merveille Bokadi and Fabio Silva, the 40 million striker.

“With everything we’ve been through in recent months, the fans deserve to be offered the best.” The defender will therefore be the first to get into the bacon of his opponents, to raise the crowds who are impatient at the idea of ​​​​starting a Clasico which they hope is as prolific as the previous posters. And this time, perhaps their eyes will turn more towards those who, in the shadows, allow the most beautiful performances to take shape…