Read below all the reactions after the match between Club Brugge and KV Mechelen.
Hans Vanaken: "We focus on ourselves, then we'll see what the rest does."
Captain Hans Vanaken was immediately man of the match upon his return. "The victory in itself is just good. Of course it's interesting for us that Union drops points tonight, but the main thing for us is to focus on our own game and then you'll see what the rest does. Tonight that's not too bad either way, so in fact it couldn't be better."
"We start the match strong, with an immediate goal in the first ten minutes as well. Then we incur that setback on free kicks and the confidence is a bit gone and the drive is no longer the same. At halftime we corrected that and said that we had to show the necessary energy again. We also changed the formation of the field a little bit on a number of positions and then of course that early goal by Stanković helps to give the team a boost. So there was more space and we ended up doing very well in the second half."
"We had agreed that I would signal it in time if things didn't work out. Then I'm glad I'm not replaced because it wasn't going to work anymore, but just as a precaution for the last ten minutes. I can play because it's pain that I can verbalize and play with without making it worse. Then I just keep going to help the team. That's how soccer is and I'm happy to take that.
Ivan Leko: "Very satisfied with this win"
Blauw-Zwart whirled in the second half to book a pleasing 6-1 win against KV Mechelen. After the Union draw, the Bruges natives are thus doing an excellent job. Naturally, coach Ivan Leko was a satisfied coach afterwards.
"First of all, I am very happy with this victory," the Club coach began. "However, I also agree with my fellow coach that the score is perhaps a bit exaggerated. In the first half we also had enough chances to rest at 3-1 or 4-1, but I rather felt that the match was balanced. The second half was a different story then, so I am very satisfied with this win. From tomorrow, the focus is immediately on the match against KAA Gent."
After halftime, Club waltzed over KV Mechelen. "I just felt that in the second half we put a lot more aggressiveness, more heart and more soul into the game and that resulted in a lot of goals. "After the match, it appeared that Union played a draw against Gent. "I honestly don't really care about that result. Too bad for Union that they lost points, but I just focus on my own team. After the game last Sunday, I didn't feel any extra pressure either. This is just soccer where sometimes you win and sometimes you lose," Ivan Leko concluded.
Hugo Vetlesen: "Mistakes from the first half corrected well after the break"
Hugo Vetlesen received Leko's confidence today and thanked with a goal. Blue-Black was dominant until the equalizer. "One moment can sometimes tilt a game. And that was the case with that goal against. We stopped finding solutions and got out of our rhythm. That combined with too many mistakes was not a good thing."
In the second half, Club started back strong and regained the lead. There was no uncertainty in the team. "I don't think we lacked confidence. We continued the good rhythm from the beginning of the game and started to play soccer again. So we corrected those mistakes from the first half very well."
Nordin Jackers: "This victory gives extra pleasure"
Goalkeeper Nordin Jackers looked back on the match with satisfaction and yet was especially happy with the three points. "This is a good result for us. We started well today and were able to make the 2-0 ourselves, but then still get that equalizer in. We also proved today that even if we get a tick, that we can get over that."
About the playoffs themselves and the connection with Union, Jackers does not want to look too far ahead just yet. "We have to look primarily match by match right now. These playoffs are a rollercoaster. We have to take as many points as possible and keep playing our own game. Two days ago for many we were already eliminated for the title, today we are back as a co-title candidate."
After Gent's draw against Union, Jackers is also definitely wary. "Matches against Gent are always difficult. But I'm also sure we can get a good result if we can play our game."
Carlos Forbs: "Very important to tie with a win."
The Portuguese winger was decisive with a goal, an assist and a foul on him for the penalty kick. "We are very happy because this victory is extremely important, especially after last week's result. I don't really listen to the criticism, we know that we just have to win every game to become champions. In doing so, I try to do my best to help the team. Of course it's good for us that Union is losing points, but we just have to keep going. We know what we have to do!"