The news that overlaps a little

Koffi says he “enjoyed himself” saving Union at Vigo, and Marcel is surprised

Hervé Koffi made several saves that stopped Celta Vigo from equalising on Thursday, in Union Saint-Gilloise’s Europa League win. The goalkeeper told Voetbalprimeur he had enjoyed himself.

Marcel, stoic in the rain, looks at a grinning goalkeeper sitting in the mud of his penalty area, newspaper under his arm.

Union won at Vigo on Thursday. They went behind early, turned the match around, then suffered until the end. Hervé Koffi made several saves. Celta did not equalise.

I read about it on Monday at the chip shop, in my weekly, to check that the score hadn’t changed. It hadn’t.

The goalkeeper told Voetbalprimeur: “It wasn’t very academic, but I enjoyed myself. The most important thing is not to concede goals.” He enjoyed himself. In 1980, a goalkeeper under siege did not enjoy himself. He was cold, he had mud up to his knees, and he was happy on Tuesday. I’m not criticising. I’m comparing.

Note that the second half of his sentence suits me. Not to concede. It was the only thing we asked of a goalkeeper. We did not ask him to have a pleasant evening.

David Hubert told RTBF it was the hardest match of the season. The coach suffers, the goalkeeper enjoys himself. It used to be the other way round.

Mine enjoys himself too, Marcel. Especially when it’s pouring and he gets to dive.

Freddy · the gaffer, fictional character

Besfort Zeneli scored twice, then missed a penalty. Adem Zorgane came back after a month and a half. Celta had never lost to a Belgian club in eight European matches. They have lost one now. Union are fourth, ten points out of twelve. Well. It’s the times.

It’s true, we checked: DH Les Sports+.

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Our columnists’ reactions are fictional; the facts and real quotes are sourced above.

The other angles in French

The editor-in-chief chose this one: « D tient sur une seule citation qui dit quelque chose malgré elle, avec une voix impeccable et un gardien qui partagerait volontiers. A est publiable aussi, mais plus dispersé et un peu plus facile dans ses gags de vestiaire. »

FreddyThe Gaffer

L’Union gagne à Vigo en subissant, le mister y voit son plan du dimanche

L'Union Saint-Gilloise s'est imposée jeudi sur la pelouse du Celta Vigo en Europa League, après avoir été rapidement menée. Besfort Zeneli a signé le premier doublé de sa carrière, Hervé Koffi a multiplié les arrêts en fin de match.

  • Funniness 4/5
  • Faithfulness 4/5
  • Voice 4/5
  • Retweet 4/5
  • Good nature 4/5

The editor-in-chief’s comment La pente qui subit avec l'équipe et le tireur « qui n'est pas parti chercher les enfants » font mouche ; la belle-mère est un cran de trop.

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LouiseThe Intern

Zeneli marque deux fois et rate un penalty : Louise découvre le « c’est le plus important »

Besfort Zeneli a inscrit le premier doublé de sa carrière jeudi lors de la victoire de l'Union Saint-Gilloise au Celta Vigo en Europa League, et a aussi manqué son premier penalty, dans le dernier quart d'heure.

  • Funniness 2/5
  • Faithfulness 3/5
  • Voice 4/5
  • Retweet 4/5
  • Good nature 5/5

The editor-in-chief’s comment Les deux « plus important » sont une bonne trouvaille, mais le détour par le basket tombe à plat, la chute est molle et « je suis allée voir Koffi » frôle la rencontre inventée.

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