Raphaelov: "Anderlecht fans say I owe them, hope to return"

Previous trophy victories, excellence at 36, the record he may equal and the implications for the league: The Israeli speaks before the final against Ghent (Monday, 16:00 in Sports 4)

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16/04/2022

Saturday, 16 April 2022, 14:04

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Summary: Anderlecht - Antwerp 1: 2, Lior Rapalov scored (Sport 1)

One of the main reasons for Lior Rapalov's rise to the status of a leading player in Belgium in the last decade is his success in the local cup.

After scoring goals in the 2015 and 2020 finals, the next day (Monday, 16:00 in Sport4) Raphaelov will once again compete for the title of the most important title in Belgium, this time in Anderlecht's media that will meet Ghent.

Ahead of the game, the Belgian media conducted an interview with the Israeli connection.

Raphaelov, who revealed in an interview that Anderlecht's last cup win was also achieved through a win over Ghent in 2008, said: "Honestly, the last few years have not been easy for the club, management and fans. "It would be great if we could finish the season with a title. Andelrecht is the most successful club in the country, at least in terms of championships. In the cup she is a bit behind (second to Bruges) so the goal is to win the factory on Monday. It will not be easy."

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In Belgium it is called "Mr. Cup".

Rapalov in 2020 (Photo: GettyImages)

The midfielder, who has 19 goals and six assists in 40 appearances in all competitions this season, was asked about the wonderful ability he demonstrates at the age of 36 (will celebrate at the end of the month), and replied: "In recent years I have started to pay close attention to nutrition Age and experience. On the pitch, in the past I wanted to be involved in every attack and always touch the ball. If not, I would be upset. Today I am more patient and better choose when to bet. Glad I managed to score many goals this season, and hope more come. I appreciate the trust from Anderlecht leaders Who gave me a two-year contract at my age. "

Raphaelov's winning goal in the 2015 final was against his current team, and now he hopes to make up for it: "That victory brought me a bachelor's degree in Belgium and it was one of the best moments of my career. Everywhere I go, Anderlecht fans tell me I owe them. And I hope to return "The goal is to restore the club's fame and make it the best in Belgium again, and winning a title could be an ideal leap on the way there."

On his success in the trophy he said: "I do not want to talk about it too much, so as not to 'blame'. The trophy for me is the fastest way to win the title, and besides winning it leads straight to Europe - it gives a lot of motivation to players and clubs so we took it very seriously "From the first round. My nickname 'Mr. Cup'? I heard it here and there, let's wait and see what happens on Monday. If I win again, it will be crazy!"

Close to an achievement recorded only once in Belgium.

Lior Rapalov (Photo: GettyImages, LAURIE DIEFFEMBACQ / BELGA MAG)

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If he lifts the trophy on Monday, Raphaelov will become the second footballer in history to do so with three different teams in Belgium, after Ambia Lei.

As the only player in Anderlecht who has won in the past, the Israeli was asked to give advice to his teammates: "You can talk to them a lot, but it does not always help," he replied.

"I'll just suggest we do the usual things and enjoy the moment. This is not an opportunity that comes every day. For moments like this we play football, and for me, I always try to recharge myself with positive energies before an important game."

The link also referred to the fact that winning the trophy could give Anderlecht a boost in the fight for the championship in the league, with currently six games left to finish and Raphaelov's team five points behind leaders Union Saint-Giulois: "It could give us a boost, but from my experience I know the media will speak Every week on a different candidate for the championship. The gap is big, but if we beat Union in the first game of the playoffs it will open everything up again. It's a critical game for the rest of the season, so winning the cup final is so important ".

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