Nicky Hayen: "To win games like this, we have to be better"
Blauw-Zwart lost by the smallest of differences to Anderlecht after an unfortunate owngoal by Mechele. Coach Nicky Hayen was therefore clearly disappointed afterwards.
"I think from the first whistle we had the same feeling we had on Wednesday," the Bruges coach began his analysis. "Namely the fact that here, in the Lotto Park, was the full energy. You also saw that they gave it their all, like for example early in the match that uppercut between Bertaccini and Raphael Onyedika. We just have to become more natural and smart about that and try to stay cool. That of course makes the whole stadium get behind it immediately. Then you have to bring quality to make the difference, and we didn't do that either."
Club started the match a little less energetically. "That midweek match is no excuse. You know that when you play at Anderlecht, you always have to match that intensity. In addition, we also knew we had to control the square in midfield, but I'm not going to explain now in what way we had to do that. Either you're going to continue one-on-one, or you're going to match it. If you do neither, then you just have a very difficult opening quarter and they deservedly lead 1-0. Then you do have control with ball possession and you find the right solutions from behind, but you don't get into the zone of truth enough. They are very crisp and played with a lot of energy and intensity and got chances because of the frivolous soccer they bring."
At the end, the biggest chance came off the foot of defender Brandon Mechele. "That's true, and so we expect more from our attackers, and they know that. We continue to work very hard, but to win games like this, we have to do better."
It had been a while since Club lost at Anderlecht. "Of course you are disappointed as a sportsman and you want to avoid that for as long as possible. So of course the disappointment prevails," concluded a clearly disappointed coach of Blauw-Zwart.
Hans Vanaken: "We lose the match in the first ten minutes"
A visibly disappointed captain Vanaken looked for explanations for the defeat in Brussels.
"I think we lose the match in the first ten minutes. There we just didn't stand well. We left them too much space on the side, and that's also where the goal came from. They got too much space in midfield."
After the opening quarter, Club came out better. "By making small adjustments, things went better. At the end we also got the biggest chance to equalize. Of course, leaving here with a point would have given a better feeling. However, it's the way it is now, and it's up to us to pick up the good again after the inter-country break."
An inter-country break in which Blauw-Zwart is well represented on several national teams. "It is a sign that we are doing a good job. Four players with the Red Devils and also Carlos Forbs called up with Portugal. It is a proof that we are doing well and that above all we must continue and work to keep improving even after this defeat," he concluded combatively.
Nordin Jackers: "It was a difficult match"
"We didn't play a good game today; it's sour to lose here. At the goal, the cross was very sharp, which made it difficult to defend under pressure. As a defender, that was a tough situation, and it's unfortunate that the ball went in through Brandon. After the break I was able to catch a few more difficult balls, but unfortunately that didn't help us today."