After qualifying against Molde FK, we gleaned reactions from Skov Olsen, Meijer, Mignolet and coach Deila.
Simon Mignolet: "We scored at the right moments"
Simon Mignolet was pleased with the team's collective performance and clean sheet. The Bruges goalkeeper is back between the posts after a minor injury and is already looking ahead to further results European and in the league.
"We scored at the right moments. We made it easy for ourselves by not having to defend that 2-0. It was a collective good performance, deservedly won and deservedly going forward. We can be proud to be in the last eight of a European competition. It's not over now and I think we can definitely move on. We played well, I thought. Yes, we were behind and everyone wanted a goal as soon as possible. But we had to stay well organized and Molde still came and threatened a few times on counter. In the second half we handled that better and the goal before halftime gave us some breathing space and confidence among the players and in the stadium. We played looser and more freely after that. We used the width of the pitch better and scored at the right moments. When you bring Skov one-on-one, he can do great things and the third goal was on counter."
The goals tonight were of fine manufacture. "It's a matter of bringing the guys who have the individual class into the right positions. That's why they have to do their job defensively first to make the difference offensively. You have to put those in position by bringing a good performance collectively defensively first. We did that for ninety minutes today."
There was a lot of outside pressure to get a good result this night. "We didn't play for the coach, we played for ourselves. We're in a quarterfinal now, I've been through it a few times. In our locker room there will be guys who will never experience it again. So you have to grab this with both hands, both for yourself and for the team. The coach enjoys that. Just playing our own game and everyone within Club Brugge wants to win, both European and in the league. That's how we have to continue to build."
Tomorrow there is already the draw for the quarterfinals. "Now there are still some strong teams like an Aston Villa, but we are now in a phase where you play two finals. So against the English you will have to play two great games to go through. You will have to go past strong teams to win, not so much to get far in Europe. We'll see who we draw, but it will be a strong opponent. Wait and see and first play that important game against STVV on Sunday." (KN)
Bjorn Meijer: "Deserved qualification"
Last Sunday Bjorn Meijer scored twice and against Molde he was behind the smooth victory with an assist in the 1-0. It visibly pleased the Dutchman.
"The relief is great, because there was quite a lot of pressure on this match. This win and the accompanying qualification is therefore pleasing but totally deserved. Molde is certainly not a bad team, but with all due respect...we were better in all areas. On the other hand, it would have been a shame if we had been eliminated tonight, because Club owed it to its status to just push through. This should also be a boost for the remainder of our season. Also for myself, because I have had quite difficult months. However, I feel I am getting better again. Although I still need to keep working on my crosses, because they still need to improve."
When asked who he would like to face in the quarterfinals, the left back did not have a ready-made answer. "I don't really have a preference and wasn't really thinking about it before the game. As a Dutchman, Ajax would have been nice, but I understand they are eliminated. Oh well, tomorrow is the draw and then we'll see which team it will be. Whether I prefer a feasible map to a poster? Why not both? After all, a nice poster can also be a viable ticket." (MV)
Andreas Skov Olsen: "We had plenty of chances."
Despite his injury, Andreas Skov Olsen addressed the assembled press with a big smile. As such, he was rightly named Man of the Match.
"This is a nice thing, but also nothing more than that. In the end, qualifying was the only thing that mattered. But of course I am satisfied with my goals. Especially then with my second one, because I hit the ball particularly well. Actually, it was even still a pretty easy goal to score," surprised the Danish winger. "With the 2-1 from the out game, we knew beforehand that it wasn't going to be easy, but in the end we had enough chances to score five or six goals. So the final score could have been even higher. I don't really have an opinion about the draw, because the focus was too much on tonight's match. Tomorrow we will see which name comes out of the drum for us.
Skov Olsen could not really comment on his injury : "I felt right away that I could not continue, so then it is better to say something like that right away. Hopefully the injury is not too bad, because I can miss it like a toothache. Tomorrow I hope for more definite news." (MV)
Hans Vanaken: "Pushing forward as far as possible."
Like Bjorn Meijer and Andreas Skov Olsen, Hans Vanaken also faced the press and the Bruges captain was also filled with relief.
"I can only be very satisfied with this achieved result, because in the end qualifying was our only goal," Vanaken kicked in an open door right away. "We tried to pin them down from the start and be dominant in their half. We didn't really succeed in the first half, so there were no big chances, except for Ferran Jutglà's one header against the post. That's what you have in a difficult period, because when it does turn, a header like that just flies in. Luckily we managed to score just before the break and then you know that a goal like that is a morale booster. Immediately after the change of camp we made it 2-0 after a sublime gem from Andreas. After that, we did well to look for the liberating 3-0. This win does us good, although we can and must still do better. At training we continue to work hard on that and it will pay off. Fortunately, tonight was good enough to advance and it remains our goal to get as far as possible. So I'm hoping for an earlier pass." (MV)
Ronny Deila: "Showed we were the better team"
Coach Ronny Deila was relieved and satisfied with his team's performance after qualifying against Molde.
"This also means a lot to me," the coach began his account. "Ever since I was young I have dreamed of getting as far as possible in Europe (in this case now a quarterfinal). Many of my players have never experienced this either, except Simon, Brandon and Hugo maybe. We had almost constant control of the game tonight. There were few chances in the first half, other than that ball on the post by Ferran, but we didn't give anything away either. Then we finally scored that important goal at the end. In the second half we showed that we were the better team. Now everything is possible, I think. Of course we will also need some luck, but I am also convinced that we can win against anyone. In addition, the supporters have also pushed us forward tonight and that does a lot of good. Now we just have to go into the next matches with faith. We have to look at match by match, but we do want to get as far as possible in this competition. And not only in Europe, but also in the Jupiler Pro League, there is still a lot to play for. Consequently, I haven't given up on anything yet."
Skov Olsen scored twice, but also dropped out with a minor injury. "Skov Olsen was already uncertain before the match, but fortunately he got ready to play. He also scored two beautiful goals. Now it remains to be seen how quickly he can recover, but I have a good eye on it."
Coach Deila does not immediately have a favorite opponent right now in Europe. "There are many good teams left, but Aston Villa and Lille might be the toughest opponents on paper. However, we will be ready for them and, as I said before, we can also win against anyone. However, if I have to choose, obviously give me the easiest path."
Finally, the coach also returned to the many criticisms in recent weeks. "There has indeed been a lot of criticism from outside and also towards the players. The criticism directed at me, I have no problem with that. I am responsible for the results of this group. However, the players are doing everything they can to achieve good results, so they are not to blame. It's easy to put people down, but I prefer to give constructive feedback to my players. The players don't have to be concerned with my position, because they are doing an incredible job. I also know that we are still not playing fantastic, but the most important thing now is to rebuild confidence. This win tonight can obviously help with that. It is a process and I especially want to take the pressure from outside away from my players and onto me," the Blauw-Zwart coach concluded. (TM)