Genk’s position as a top contender for the title this season is largely attributed to their star striker, Tolu, who has emerged as Belgium’s leading scorer with an impressive tally of thirteen goals.The question on everyone’s mind is whether he can replicate his stellar performance tonight against Mechelen.
For Mechelen, the priority is clear: they must find a way to neutralize Tolu’s threat. The home team is desperate for a victory after enduring a six-match winless streak. “Van den Eynden managed to contain him effectively in the frist half during our previous encounter in Genk,” said Besnik Hasi, who remains confident that Tolu can be managed. However, with Van den Eynden sidelined for the season due to injury, the duty falls on newcomer Welsh to keep Tolu in check.
“I’ve discussed strategies with Welsh on how to handle Tolu. You can’t simply shadow him becuase of his sheer physicality,” Hasi explained. The Scottish defender has been given precise instructions to counter Tolu’s strengths. “It’s not just about Welsh versus Tolu; we also need to be wary of Genk’s other attacking threats. If we press to high, Genk can exploit the space with long balls to Tolu.”
Strategic Dilemma: Tolu or Oh?
Mechelen must also consider Genk’s other options upfront. “Tolu and Janssen are arguably the most effective strikers in Belgium when it comes to ball retention. Though, Oh is another viable option,” Hasi noted. The South korean forward made a significant impact in the final stages of their last match at the Cegeka Arena. “Welsh has an advantage hear, as he trained alongside Oh during their time at Celtic.”
Saturday’s match will reveal whether Mechelen can focus solely on thwarting Genk’s attack or if they can also assert their own style of play. “The idea that we have less to lose against Genk? I don’t see it that way. Our approach and football beliefs remain unchanged,” Hasi emphasized. Genk,on the other hand,is riding high after securing six points from their last two matches,including two clean sheets and a strong cup performance against Club. They are persistent to maintain their momentum.
Injury Woes Continue for Mechelen
While Antonio is set to make his comeback and Vanrafelghem is poised for his debut at KVM, Mechelen’s injury list remains a concern. Alongside Van den Eynden, Thoelen, vanheusden, Foulon, and Mrabti are also unavailable. The match comes too soon for Storm, and Fink will have to manage without the injured Sor. Don’t miss the action as KV mechelen takes on RC Genk at 6:15 PM, live on VOETBALKRANT.COM!
