Hans Vanaken aimed a free kick through the wall into goal in the closing stages. 2-0 was the final score and qualification for the next round is secured. Club now has it in its own hands to still become group winner.
"We cannot yet be satisfied with the game brought, there is always room for improvement. But in the period we are in, it is important to win for qualification for the next round. We kept the zero, which is also nice and important for the defense and Simon. We are here to win matches and sometimes it is allowed to be in an ugly or boring way. They tried to put high pressure so we had to play with the long ball a lot. We had trouble keeping up with them. The last quarter of the first half was good though: we put pressure, some sharp crosses,... In the second half there was more room to play soccer, especially after that 1-0. Too bad that second penalty didn't go in, otherwise it would have been over there. Now we have to focus on Sunday because there is pressure on that match again. But in Europe it went well. We just have to be happy that after four playing days we have that qualification in and now make sure we win the group for a good position in the next round. Besiktas is the next European match, which unfortunately I won't be at due to suspension. Maybe we can finish it there already, I will be cheering in front of the TV that we do it."
Hans' goal in the closing stages pleased him. "Four goals in four matches is nice, but it was a lucky goal today though. In the end, that's nice for me individually, but I'm just happy we're going to the next round. Now to get that first place."
Igor Thiago claimed the ball for the first penalty. "Thiago also kicked the penalties in at the start of the season. It's good for the striker's confidence to shoot them in. I don't have a problem with giving those out. Both strikers are working hard. In Jutglà's substitution, you can see him looking for that goal that unfortunately didn't come. They work super hard. Thiago runs behind every ball, on the ball they can always do better. But hopefully that penalty kick will give confidence for the next matches. With Jutglà those goals will come, last year it was the same. They have to have confidence in themselves and we have confidence in them, it will be fine."
Sunday follows the Bruges derby. "It's tough to play against teams like that because the soccer won't be great. There will be a lot of duels and fighting. It's up to us to put more in return. If you do that, the quality will come out. It will come down to energy, focus, second balls, duels, ... But you know that beforehand, you have to be ready. It's good that there is such a match in between, it doesn't have to be great football-wise then. Hopefully we do this again on Sunday, just win and go into the week with a good feeling. There is always pressure to win matches. The flow we are in is different than we had already won matches in a row. Tonight should give confidence to finish the next match well. We are always favorites. Yes, they are above us, but if we win we will jump back over them. That's the only goal for Sunday." (KN)