In just a few weeks, the atmosphere at Club Brugge has completely changed. At the end of the regular season there was still a crisis and Ronny Deila was fired, but now there are only smiling faces with a seven out of nine in the play-offs and a semi-final in the Conference League in sight.
This resurrection is largely attributed to Nicky Hayen, whose interim period can so far be called a resounding success. The 43-year-old brought more clarity and managed to relaunch some players after a difficult period. For example, Michal Skoras is suddenly the title holder, but the biggest metamorphosis was perhaps made by Raphael Onyedika.
Onyedika revives under Hayen…
Deila was just a cool lover of the Nigerian midfielder, who was regularly on the bench in recent months. However, since Hayen’s appointment, Onyedika has reached a high level and has even scored three times in the last two games.
Vital Borkelmans sees a clear cause for his resurrection. “He doesn’t need another defensive midfielder next to him. Then his options are limited,” he suggests The newspapaer. After all, Deila often posted Nielsen or Vetlesen next to Onyedika.
…which also makes Vanaken stand out better
By playing Onyedika as the only six again, Borkelmans also sees that Hayen kills two birds with one stone. “What goes with this: because Onyedika is now planning so well, Vanaken is higher. That makes a big difference,” he notes.
“It is a blessing that he is now back in the box. Hans has the intellect to make a difference there – I think he is less efficient in the build-up. Hayen has done that well.”
2024-04-18 12:17:00
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