At 19, Xavier Preijs is gaining playing time at RWDM: “I didn’t expect to play so often”

He even has one start to his credit, it was during the 4-4 split at Seraing. “If I was surprised and happy to experience this first, it had not been an easy match for the team, on a lousy pitch. It took combativeness and getting into duels.”

Which Xavier Preijs is entirely capable of doing, despite his young age. “When you are a young player, showing that fighting spirit is the most important thing. I have to show that I have the desire.”

We feel a player with full confidence. “When the coach makes me play, I have no doubts because I know he has confidence in me. I know what I have to bring when I go on the field. If we lose, I have to bring back the intensity with my pressing. If we win, I have to help the team losing the ball, also with my pressing.”

If his preferred position is that of right back, Xavier Preijs regularly comes into play as a winger. “It’s true that I often go a step higher than my basic position. The coach made this choice so that I bring intensity, pressure and combativeness.”

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With a hope. “I’m already very happy with the playing time I’m getting and I hope to gain more minutes. I know that my competitor has four yellow cards, if he were to be suspended, it would be up to me to take my chance. Every time I’m on the pitch, I’ll want to help the team as best I can, just as I want to help them aim for advancement.”

He who wants to follow the example of Doudaev, another young person who received his chance and became a starter. “His example is a source of motivation.” Just like the oldest in the locker room. “At first, I was quite introverted. Today, I have found my place in the locker room and I am very attentive to the advice of the oldest who are very present to me.”

The noyau : Lathouwers, Nkurunziza, Marsoni, Sousa, Laaziri, Khalifa, Abe, Ziani, Parzyszek, Del Piage, Kestens, Preijs, Halilou, Montes, de Sart, Robail, Biron, Benjdida.