The spot in the Round of 8 in the pocket, we had a talk with Skov Olsen, Meijer, Mignolet and coach Deila.
Simon Mignolet: “Scored with impeccable timing”
A solid team performance, and a clean sheet: Club's goalie reclaimed his spot between the posts after a slight injury, and helped his team towards qualification.
“We scored with great timing. We made it easier on ourselves by allowing ourselves not to just defend that 2-0. It was a fine team performance, a deserved win and qualification. We should be proud of the fact that we are down to the last eight in a European competition. It's not over just yet, and I do believe we can still go on. We played it out well, I reckon. We were trailing and wanted that early goal. But it also took a solid organisation, with Molde threatening on the break. We handled things better in the second half, and that early goal gave us some breathing room, boosting the confidence of the players and the fans inside the stadium. It allowed us to play a more liberated and free game. We made better use of the width of the field, and scored with impeccable timing. Put Skov one on one, and he's capable of magic, and that third goal was a well executed break.”
The crowd saw three excellent goals. "It comes down to bringing the guys who have that individual class in the right position. They first need to do what's asked of them in defense before they can make a difference up front. You should try and line them up by first putting in a good defensive performance. That's what we did throughout the game today.”
After the first leg result, the pressure was mounting. “It's not like we played for our coach, but for ourselves. We are now in the Round of 8. It's a situation I've been in before, but it'll be new to plenty of guys inside the dressing room. We should grab that opportunity with both hands, both for ourselves and for the team. The coach also enjoys this. We just have to play our own game, and we all want to win here at Club Brugge, both in Europe and in the league. We have to continue along these lines.”
Come tomorrow, the draw will be performed for the Round of 8. “Only the strong outfits have survived, the likes of Aston Villa, but we are now in a situation where you play two finals. It will take two massive games against the English if you want to go through. You'll have to beat some sturdy opposition if you want to get far in Europe. We'll see who we draw, but I'm sure it will be a strong opponent. Let's just wait and see, and live towards next Sunday's encounter with STVV.” (KN)
Bjorn Meijer: "Well-earned qualification"
Bjorn Meijer's fine form is showcased by two goals over the weekend, and against Molde, he was the man behind the assist for Skov Olsen's opener. The Dutchman is thrilled to have made it to the Round of 8.
“Such a relief, as there was quite a bit of pressure on this game. It's a gratifying win and qualification, and a deserved one too. Molde has a fine outfit, but with all due respect... we were better in every aspect. It would have been a disgrace not to have made it, as Club really owes it to its stature to go through. This should also boost our self confidence for the remainder of the season. Also for me, as it has been a rough couple of months for me too. I do feel I'm getting back to my usual level, however. There's still work to do when it comes to my crosses, though."
When asked who the Dutchman prefers as opponent in the next round, the left back kept his cards to his chest. “No real preference, it's not like I was thinking about it in the run-up to this game. As a Dutchman I would love to have played Ajax, but I gather they are out. Oh well, we'll see which team to compete with tomorrow. A doable assignment or one of the big guns? Why not both?” (MV)
Andreas Skov Olsen: "Enought chances"
Despite being subbed due to an injury, Andreas Skov Olsen was all beams as he addressed the press, the ‘Man of the Match’ trophy under his arms.
"It's nice to be receiving this, but that's all it is really. Making it through was all that mattered. But I'm happy with my goals too, obviously. Particularly that second goal, as I got a really good tap to that ball. It was even quite an easy goal to score", Club's winger surprised. "We knew that after that 2-1 first leg result, this was not going to be a walk in the park, but in the end we had plenty of chances to score five or six goals. So it could have been more. The draw has not been running through my mind, our focus was on this game. We'll see who we are set up with tomorrow."
As to his injury, Skov Olsen was unable to give further news: “I immediately felt I wouldn't be able to go on, so it's better to indicate you are unable to continue. I hope it's not too bad, as I can really do without the hassle. I hope I'll have more news tomorrow.” (MV)
Hans Vanaken: "Go as far as we can"
“I can only be happy with this result, as going through was our only goal", Vanaken started out. "We tried pinning them against their goal from the very start, and to be dominant on their side of the pitch. It didn't really pan out in the first half, and we lacked some clear chances, with the exception of that one header by Ferran Jutglà hitting the post. That's what you get when things aren't exactly going your way. In different circumstances, that ball would have just gone in. Fortunately we managed to open the score still in the first half, and you just know that goal comes with a great boost. Straight out of the dressing room, we took a 2-0 lead after a massive Andreas goal. After that we did well in looking out for that third goal. It's a gratifying win, even things can still go better. We keep working hard at training, and it is bound to pay off one day. Fortunately this performance was enough to go through, and we can maintain our goal of getting as far as we can in this competition. I hope tomorrow's draw puts us face-to-face with a more doable opponent.” (MV)
Ronny Deila: "Showed we were the better team"
On to the Round of Eight! The team performance clearly pleased coach Ronny Deila.
"This means a lot for me too. As a little boy, I dreamt of making it as far as possible in Europe (in this case, the Quarter Finals). It's a first for many of my players, with the exception of maybe Simon, Brandon and Hugo. We were in control of the entire game today. Not that many chances in the first half, except for that one ball hitting the post, but we also kept them from creating chances. Our second half performance showed that we were the better team. At this point, anything goes, I reckon. It will take a bit of luck too, but I'm fully convinced that we can take on just about any team. Our fans really pushed us forward today, and that also felt great. We now have to take on the following games in firm belief. Take it one game at a time, but we'll try to get as far as we can in this competition. And not only in europe, but there's also still plenty to play for in the Jupiler Pro League. I haven't given up on anything just yet."
Skov Olsen scored a brace, but was taken off slightly injured. "There had been some question marks behind Skov Olsen's name prior to the game, but fortunately for us he turned out fit to play. He scored two beauties too. Right now we'll have to wait and see how his recovery will be, but I have a good feeling about it."
No dream opponents for Ronny Deila in Europe. "Plenty of fine teams in it still, with Aston Villa and Lille looking to be the sturdiest opponents. We'll be ready, though, and as I mentiond earlier, I do believe we can beat any team. Put a gun to my head, however, and I obviously go for the road of least resistance."
In his closing remarks, Deila reflected on the dire situation Club has come to in the past couple of weeks. "There has been quite a lot of critique from the outside, also towards the players. I don't have a problem when people are critical about me. I'm responsible for the results. The players do all they can to put in fine results, so you cannot blame them. Taking people down is easy, but I prefer giving positive feedback to my players. My position should not be on their minds, as they do their utmost. I realise we are still not playing to the best of our means, but right now it's vital to win back that self-confidence. Tonight's win can only help us towards that end. It's a process, and I want to keep off the external pressure", Club's coach concluded. (TM)