After the 3-1 win against Bodø/Glimt, we gathered reaction from Ronny Deila, Simon Mignolet and Hans Vanaken.
Ronny Deila: "Sunday continue this positive flow."
Ronny Deila could be satisfied with his team. Blauw-Zwart took a deserved victory and could also save strength for next Sunday's topper against AA Gent.
"We had good control of the game in the first half. We defended well and took our chances. In the second half I was a little worried by the 1-1, but we had a good reaction right away. After the 2-1, we had control and were able to focus on Sunday. We now have three important games coming up in the league. We are hoping for a full house and a good atmosphere, but no doubt that will be the case. We are in a good flow, so we want to continue that line and please the fans."
Thanks to this victory, Club advances directly to the 1/8th finals of the Conference League. "Our goal is obviously to advance as far as possible. However, you also have to be humble and work hard, because there are a lot of good teams in there. We now have to use the next few months to continue to grow as a team so that hopefully in the next round we can reach an even higher level." (SF)
Simon Mignolet: "Three more finals this year"
Simon Mignolet rightly saw Blue-Black take first place in this Conference League group. Club kept the game well under control and scored at the right moments.
"We are happy to get that first place and that gives us a ticket for not the next round but the one after. That was the objective for tonight and I think we did that with a good performance. Especially the first half with attacking soccer and with chances. We got ahead at the right time and we played a correct first half. In the second half Bodo put a little more pressure, but we kept everything under control. Unfortunately, we got a goal in on a penalty phase. But then we answered very quickly with a second goal and made it easy for ourselves at the end by playing out. I am very satisfied with the performance, another step in the right direction. Now three more finals before the end of the year."
Indeed, three more important games in the league now follow. "Tonight we saw that we have guys who make a difference, that we play forward soccer and can force chances. That will certainly be needed in those toppers, those important games that remain for us until the end of the year. We have to take them. In the past eight games we have only conceded one goal, which is positive. Now we have to maintain stability and be dangerous in attack. That was certainly the case tonight."
Unfortunately, Club gave up a penalty kick. "Winning is more important than a clean sheet. Tonight we also deserved a clean sheet with the work we delivered. It's a dubious penalty phase: they first had the chance to finish, I then saved it. Then you think it's over. Then the referee wanted to give a free kick and unfortunately it fell in the sixteen meters and it was penalty kick. They have a good penalty taker, you have to accept that. The goal for tonight was to finish first and we did that." (KN)
Hans Vanaken: "Group win was our goal"
Hans Vanaken clearly felt comfortable and was able to launch the quick wingers Nusa and Skov Olsen several times.
"Beforehand, the assignment was clear: Group win was our goal and we succeeded in that without defeat in six games. This gives us the advantage that we can skip the next round and only have to start European again in March, so it's still a distant future."
However, the Bruges captain was not blind to a number of working points at Blauw-Zwart : "I thought we played good soccer in the first half but actually the game should have been played by halftime. After the break, we were too often impure in ball possession and our soccer needs to improve at times. But I always had the feeling that the game would go our way. I am delighted that both Skov Olsen and Nusa played well in the match. How come they are not always at the kickoff? You have to see the total picture and look at their fitness, then it becomes a matter of bringing them on at the right moments. They are both explosive types, so they are more prone to ailments. But I admit : even I myself would rather have them in the team every time, as they are players who can make the difference."
When asked whether Club can continue the positive European flow into the league, the Limburger was clear: "That must be our aim, although we also know that Sunday's game will be of a different caliber. It will be a very important game, because if we win, we can close the gap with Ghent and get back on top. I don't see it as an exam, but be sure that the players and supporters will be motivated. It now comes down to recovering well and getting ourselves physically ready for next Sunday." (MV)
Review the press conference here: