Buffalo’s stumble in Scotland as Roef’s penalty save fuels hope

Het match in Scotland saw AA Gent Buffalo face Hibernian, with Davy Roef keeping a clean sheet in a 0‑0 draw that offered little spectacle, as the Belgian side endured a long‑draining Thursday evening walk in Edinburgh and failed to create clear chances.

Roef shines in a barren draw

Een nul nulletje summed up the evening, confirming a déjà vu performance for AA Gent, who have yet to provide excitement.

Coach Rik De Mil and his staff arrived in Edinburgh knowing they must open the gate to the Conference League.

The match was part of the Conference League qualification round.

Goalkeeper Davy Roef, born in 1994, was described as having the calm demeanor of an IT‑expert.

He became the match hero by saving a penalty around the quarter‑hour mark.

Roef, who also captains AA Gent, has previously rescued the team in penalty shoot‑outs against Genk and Cherkasy.

Gent’s tactical woes and missed chances

AA Gent struggled for creativity, speed and depth, partly because wing‑back Volckaert was deployed more as a central defender.

The midfield also missed a dominant number‑10, a role that Bénes was expected to fill.

De Mil, who prefers an attacking 4‑3‑3, must adapt his tactics under the guidance of Burgess, who is tasked with instilling leadership and a winning mentality.

Volckaert’s lucky header nearly found the net, while Wilson had a clear chance to put AA Gent ahead.

Cissé launched a long ball that was ultimately cleared, and Ngom retrieved the ball from the back line.

Hibernian’s Passlack delivered a cross, but a shot from the German ex‑Dortmund player was blocked.

Later, Araujo pressed on the left flank, linking up with Wilson before the substitute lost control.

Rik De Mil made his first substitution by removing Bénes and bringing on Wilson.

Sam Baro highlighted the internal pressure on AA Gent as they balance European ambitions with domestic expectations.

The report was penned by Jordi De Konincken and Niels Poissonnier20, noting that the Buffalo’s have a free weekend to regroup.

With the Conference League gate still closed, the Buffalo’s must find a victory in the next round to keep their European dream alive.