Mechelen will face Westerlo this Friday, and Besnik Hasi did not have much reason to rejoice during his press conference. T1 notes that some important players will not be immediately ready upon their return, while an additional concern has emerged.
Taking stock of his infirmary, Besnik Hasi did not have much reason to rejoice before facing Westerlo on Friday evening. This time it’s Benito Raman, who is doubtful due to an ankle injury. “It wasn’t the Achilles tendon that was injured against Antwerp, but it’s still a doubtful case,” Hasi said.
Additionally, Daam Foulon is dealing with a complicated tear, which is significantly slowing his recovery. “It was borderline to decide whether he had to undergo an operation or not. He will be out longer than expected,” assured the head coach, while the length of absence of his flank player was already estimated at three or four weeks.
However, the KV Mechelen coach has found an alternative to his position. “Marsa is doing well, although he doesn’t have the same intensity and speed as Daam, but he is good with the ball.”
Mechelen executives are in the infirmary
Nikola Storm’s injury also remains a cause for concern. According to doctors, the playing master could return in early January, but he still feels a lot of pain. “He is afraid that another tear will lead to a long rehabilitation period. I don’t think he will play the first match after January.”
Hasi acknowledges that the absence of key players like Foulon and Storm, with Zinho Vanheusden’s season likely already over, presents challenges. “No team has exactly the same types of players in every position and at a club like Mechelen this is even less the case,” he said. “We have to put the emphasis elsewhere and adapt training, but the substitutes are not lacking in quality.”
Hasi is confident in the team’s dynamic recovery. “Daam and Niko also had automations. Now we need to rework them,” he concluded.
