After the 1-1 draw against in the Bruges city derby, we gleaned reactions from captain Vanaken, Odoi and interim coach Hayen.
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Hans Vanaken: "There was clearly more in it"
For a fourth time in a row, the Bruges city derby ended in a draw. Although captain Hans Vanaken could not really reconcile himself with the result.
"On the one hand, somewhere we should be relieved with that one point, but on the other hand also not because there was clearly more in it," the Limburger opened his argument. "Especially in the second half, we had enough chances to take the game all the way to us. I think we hit the goal frame three or four times and furthermore a possible penalty kick was turned into a free kick. Moreover, a goal was also disallowed before the break. So yes, we could have and should have scored more than once today.
And the midfielder continued.... "However, we started the match with difficulty, as we were struggling with the high pressing due to the home team. This while we ourselves were also not sharp enough. In the second half we came out from under their pressure much better and were able to threaten more on the flanks. It's just a pity that we didn't get an equalizer. We also had some bad luck. Like my free kick against the crossbar. From that position it is almost impossible to curl the ball directly into the goal, so I opted for the hard shot. I immediately felt I hit the ball well, but unfortunately my attempt was a little too high."
When asked what ambitions Club still has in these playoffs, the Golden Shoe was clear. "We still want to score as many points as possible and finish as close to the top as possible. Today we already deserved the three points, but unfortunately it was not to be. Next Sunday we get Anderlecht on the floor and then we should be out for revenge after what happened to us in the regular league. But oh well...we really just have to do our own thing." (MV)
Denis Odoi: "Not rewarding ourselves enough offensively today"
Blauw-Zwart played a draw in the away derby at city rival Cercle. At halftime, Denis Odoi was substituted injured.
"I tried to head the ball through, but got off balance and overstretched my knee in the process. Tomorrow we will see further if there is more to it." Club completely dominated the second half, hitting the goal frame three times. "We should have always taken the three points here. We had enough chances to score at least two goals, but the ball didn't want to go in. However, we have to build on this for the rest of the playoffs and build on this."
"In the first half we were able to play the way we wanted to play a few times, but in their half we weren't dangerous enough. In the second half the chances came. Offensively we did not reward ourselves enough today while defensively we did little wrong. Only at their goal did we make a mistake. We know they are dangerous on stationary phases and were even talking about it this morning, but if one person walks off the line too quickly, you are lifting offside. We have to analyze that phase well and make arrangements."
Club thus starts the playoffs with a draw and remains third in the standings. "Our ambition is to win every match and then we'll see where we end up. Under coach Hayen we are trying new things at training. Today, for example, it was very clear how we wanted to play," concluded the experienced right back. (EV)
Nicky Hayen: "Second half is really something we can build on"
Nicky Hayen saw a lesser first half in his first game as Club's interim coach, but a strong second half.
"It was a very intense match and quite engaging for the neutral spectator though," the interim coach began his analysis. "I didn't think our first half was good, but not super bad either. At halftime I said the following to my group: if you bring 80% quality to the ball against a team that puts 100% pressure, then that quality has to go up. Then every ball control has to be good and every connection you make has to be good to play in between that. There were some moments the first half where we played that well, but not enough. Then when you see how we came out of the locker room in the second half and that just in the first 10 minutes we hit the goal frame three times, you see the real Club Brugge back up. That's also what we want to stand for, which is going forward, bringing attacking soccer and creating chances. Today we have 21 shots inside the box (therefore not all on goal) and this is a high number. Then the piece of efficiency is maybe still just a little bit too little, but the second half is really something we can build on and something you should actually try to keep up for 90 minutes. This is the analysis we also gave to the group at halftime through footage. I also said, even though they got ahead, a game lasts 90 or 95 minutes. So I really felt that if we equalized, that we were going to go over. If you see how we kept pressing in the last minutes...In the past, there have been a few times when we were unsure if we were going to go for that point or for the win. We want to win and this is also the culture to win and I think you saw that for 45 minutes straight in the second half. The fact that that last throw-in wasn't allowed to be given and that the players reacted nastily to that showed the hunger today to take that game to us. That really does make me feel good."
In the end, it was substitute Skov Olsen who scored the equalizer for Club. "Of course I am pleased that Skov Olsen scored, but in itself I don't care who scored. After all, every player is equally important. What made me very satisfied was the fact that I spoke to every player beforehand (including the bench players) and explained what the intention was. And no...I don't expect all the players to agree, but they respected my opinion. Then when I see how all four of them(De Cuyper, Nielsen, Skov Olsen and Jutglà) filled in, it was a real game changer for me. I also didn't hesitate to bring them on time, because if it's necessary then it's necessary. Basically, the intention was to spare Skov Olsen a bit or to think along from his injury. However, when the need is high, you know you can count on creative people. Then I am happy that he scores then also for his confidence, but also to show how important he is for Club Brugge," concludes a satisfied coach ad interim. (TM)