His first goal demonstrates his progress in the aerial game. “The way he can time and read the trajectory of the ball, it’s fantastic. He'll score more like that again.”explained Gasperini after the meeting.
The second is a mixture of self-confidence and technical accuracy. “He managed to find spaces outside the box until he found the right timing for this shot. Charles is exceptional. Only if you are full of confidence can you save such a difficult match.”
Two goals which are worth gold since they put his club back at the top of the championship and allow it to follow up with an eleventh victory in a row in Serie A.”We suffered today”admitted De Ketelaere to the microphones of DAZN. “But every time we faced a setback, we had an answer. That’s the mark of a strong team.”
Lookman: “Charles De Ketelaere saved us”
Difficult to say the opposite: Charles De Ketelaere is in full swing. With ten goals and nine assists since the start of the season, the player is extremely important for his coach. Statistics that make him a decisive element every 82 minutes.
On the pitch, the player is a killer. This is less the case with microphones where it is more discreet. “I feel good and I performed well. But the team also played well. Thanks to this victory, it will be a great Christmas for us and for the supporters.”he soberly commented. His teammate Ademola Lookman was more vocal. “These are difficult matches to win.”declared the best African player. “Charles had a magical evening and saved us.”
Charles De Ketelaere delights again: the Red Devil scores a double in one half with Atalanta (VIDEO)
This isn't the first time this season. After a mixed start to the season where he was decisive only once in eight days (against Fiorentina), the player is thriving. In the last twelve matches, there are only four matches where he did not make his contribution and was decisive on 17 occasions.
De Ketelaere has always loved Christmas periods
Charles De Ketelaere knows the series well. The player has already performed particularly well when the Christmas presents were under the tree. In 2021, during his last season at Club Brugge, CDK scored seven goals in as many matches during this period. Last year, he waited to unwrap his gifts to break the house with an identical series in January.
The eleven Belgians of the weekend: decisive Devils against the big European teams and a great first at Standard
This year, he has returned to his habits with 8 goals and 3 assists in 7 matches in all competitions in December. Charles De Ketelaere does not look very far to mention his more than advantageous statistics. “I feel good at Atalanta, both physically and mentally. And when you score goals, you gain confidence.” Hopefully it lasts until March. If he took power in northern Italy, he was slow to do the same with the Red Devils. But this kind of performance should naturally push him towards a more important place with the national team. With or without Tedesco.
De Ketelaere's impressive winter stats:
December 2021 in Bruges: 7 goals in 7 matches + 2 assists (Club)
January 2024 at Atalanta: 7 goals in 7 matches + 3 assists
December 2024 at Atalanta: 8 goals in 7 matches + 3 assists
