Matchweek two of the Belgian Pro League saw the first Friday night kick-off of the 2020/21 season, with Royal Excel Mouscron hosting KV Mechelen. Both sides had picked up a point from their opening fixtures against what many would consider to be stronger opposition, so they came into this game with confidence.
In the end, it was a Nikolas Storm penalty, which only counted after the third attempt, following two Herve Koffi saves off his line, that proved to be the difference. This game was of interest to the neutrals, as it saw a team in Mouscron who are closely aligned to Ligue 1 side LOSC Lille, with players like Koffi and others being on loan there. KV Mechelen should be of interest to Manchester City fans as they watch their summer signing Issa Kabore in action.
This tactical analysis will look at how each sides tactics affected the game. The analysis will look at how the use of Kabore as an attacking right-back impacted the game, as well as how Mouscron looked to break down Mechelen. Finally, how Mechelen were able to create the penalty opportunity will also be looked at.
Formations
Home side Mouscron went with a 5-4-1 formation, with the aforementioned and impressive young goalkeeper Koffi in goal. The three centre-backs were Jean Onana, Saad Agouzoul, and Nemanja Antonov. Last seasons leading goal creator Alessandro Ciranni was at right-back, with Eric Bocat on the opposite side. In midfield, last weeks goalscorer Marko Bakic was given a start alongside Deni Hocko, with Imad Farag and Beni Badibanga on the wings. Virgiliu Postolachi was the lone striker.
For Mechelen, Gaetan Coucke was the man between the posts, while the outfield players were set up in their usual 4-3-3 formation. Rocky Bushiri and Thibault Peyre were the centre-back partnership, with Kabore on the right and Lucas Bijker on the left. Joachim van Damme was in his usual defensive midfield role, with the creative pair of Rob Schoofs and Aster Vranckx ahead of him in the middle of the park. Storm was out on the left while Geoffry Hairemans was playing wide right, with William Togui as the striker. Wouter Vrancken decided to leave last weeks goal scorers Igor de Camargo and Jordi Vanlerberghe on the bench, as he had done in the first match.
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