Maxime Delanghe helped Cercle reach the top 8 with “Save of the Year”: “A goalkeeper who scores? I certainly didn’t want that”

A save that made a world of difference for Cercle Brugge. The advanced Basaksehir goalkeeper Sengezer seemed to score the 1-2 in minute 90+6′ and knock the Association out of the top 8, but Maxime Delanghe kept his team afloat. Afterwards the Cercle goalkeeper was the hero. “Even if he can do that again in the competition,” his coach winked.

Have we received a late entry for the best rescue of the year? If we can believe Cercle Brugge coach Ferdinand Feldhofer, yes.

His goalkeeper had pulled the Association over the line in the very last seconds against Basaksehir and guided it towards the top 8 in the Conference League with a great parade.

“I think it was an important moment. And I knew I had to be sharp until the end to help the team,” said a modest Maxime Delanghe afterwards.

Had he not stopped the leather, the goal would undoubtedly have gone around the world. Because the sender was not just anyone: it was the Turkish goalkeeper Muhammed Sengezer who almost scored the 1-2 with an ultimate free kick.

And that provided extra motivation for Delanghe. “It was the keeper who headed it and I certainly didn’t want a goal to be scored,” he laughed.

Can we call it the Save of the Year? On the international stage, yes.

Ferdinand Feldhofer

Afterwards, coach Feldhofer could only be happy with the diving of his number one.

“It was exciting until the last seconds,” the Austrian kicked in an open door. “We missed opportunities to take the lead and then there was Maxime’s Save of the Day.”

“Can we even call it the Save of the Year? On the international stage yes, but in the competition he can easily pull one of those out of his gloves,” the trainer joked.

Delanghe may not get a trophy for it, but the goalie does have the top 8 in his pocket and there will be no shortage of celebrations in the dressing room.