Club Brugge goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has shared the clever mind game he played on Nigerian striker Tolu Arokodare before saving his penalty in Brugge’s 2-0 victory over Genk on Sunday.
The Belgian Jupiler Pro League leaders suffered their fourth defeat of the season, conceding two late goals in the 77th and 86th minutes. The win allowed defending champions Brugge to close the gap, leaving them just one point behind Genk.
Before Brugge broke the deadlock, Genk had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the 73rd minute. Arokodare stepped up to take the penalty, but Mignolet comfortably saved his weak effort, who correctly guessed that he should dive to his left.
Television footage captured Mignolet speaking to Arokodare moments before the spot kick. After the match, the former Liverpool goalkeeper revealed what he had said.
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“I told him not to kick in the middle because I wouldn’t dive,” Mignolet explained. “That way, I forced him to choose a corner.”
Arokodare, who had scored 11 league goals before the match, admitted he was unaware of Mignolet’s ploy.
“I don’t know what he said,” Arokodare admitted. “I didn’t listen to him. I was focused on scoring the penalty. Unfortunately, it didn’t go the way I wanted.”
Despite his disappointment, Arokodare remained optimistic about the future. “I was focused on doing my job for the team, but it didn’t work out today. Maybe it will in the next match,” he said.
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