After the game against Antwerp, we collected reactions from Ronny Deila, Simon Mignolet and Brandon Mechele.
Ronny Deila: "Unbelievable that we go home empty-handed".
After Tuesday's upset against Kortrijk, Club suffered a double sledgehammer blow against Antwerp: a defeat due to two late goals and, on top of that, some injuries.
"It was a very strange match," said coach Ronny Deila. "It's unbelievable that we are going home empty-handed. We definitely deserved a point, maybe three. We played very well in the first half, although we didn't create many chances. In the second half we also played chances together and were also dominant, but because of two fantastic shots we still lose. I'm also frustrated because of the tackle on Zinckernagel. Janssen already had yellow, so that should have been his second yellow. I don't understand why VAR doesn't intervene there. In the first half, Hugo Vetlesen got a questionable yellow card, but nothing followed for such a serious foul on Zinckernagel. So I'm very disappointed, although we did many things positively, we have to remember that too. Now we have to make sure we are ready for Wednesday. It will have to wait and see how severe the injuries are. De Cuyper is now in the hospital checking for a neck injury. Zinckernagel is also there, as he had to be stitched up. And finally Hugo Vetlesen suffered a groin strain, so we changed him at halftime." (SF)
Simon Mignolet: "I always have to have that ball"
Club had long held out the prospect of victory at the Bosuil, but two home goals still caused a reversal. Simon Mignolet meekly admitted that he should have grabbed the Antwerp second goal.
"Obviously we are very disappointed," the Club goalkeeper spoke a few minutes after the whistle. "I think we put in another good performance. So we deservedly got ahead in the second half at a good time. Then at one point we opted to defend that 0-1, but suddenly Antwerp scores an incredible goal and then at the very end they score on a free kick. Well, that really shouldn't happen, but finaly we end up going back to Bruges with zero points, which is totally undeserved."
"To be honest, I always have to have that ball at their second goal. I actually wasn't quite ready, but then again. I reacted maybe a little too late from my position where I was standing because of that. They also kicked that free kick very quickly, but nevertheless, I always have to have that ball, that much is for sure. Because of this sour 2-1 defeat it ended up being a very nasty week for us with only one point out of six, where it maybe should have been four or even six out of six, and that gives a very bad feeling. That's soccer of course, we don't deserve that, but next Wednesday we have another topper coming up so by then we have to be there again." (FDC)
Brandon Mechele: "No pay for work"
Club Brugge seemed to be on their way to victory for a long time but still had a dramatic afternoon in Deurne-Noord. Brandon Mechele then addressed the press heavily disappointed.
"It's unbelievable but just like last Tuesday, it's a big disappointment again," the central defender said. "Although we collapsed a few times, we had complete control of the game and hardly gave away any chances. The fact that once again we didn't get our reward is particularly unfortunate. The equalizer is a Sunday afternoon shot, he can try a hundred more times, the ball doesn't go in. But unfortunately it does go against the nets today. It was a handsome goal, by the way. And at the 2-1 the ball made a nasty collision before Simon could intervene, although perhaps the mistake prior to that should not have been made either."
When asked if Club had second thoughts after De Cuyper's unfortunate breakdown, Mechele was clear. "Obviously we were shocked but I do believe that the focus in our team was still sufficient. Why we suddenly started playing with three at the back? We saw that Alderweireld, among others, was going to post up front and so we were going to play at the back with three man to man. It was not to be, unfortunately." (MV)