After the Conference League match against PAOK Saloniki, we gathered reactions from Michał Skóraś, Nordin Jackers and coach Nicky Hayen.
Michał Skóraś: "We were the better team."
Michał Skóraś once again started in the starting lineup. The Polish winger showed eagerness and on his flank looked for spaces in the backs of defenders.
"We won, but we should have scored more. We had enough chances, but we only scored one goal. We were the better team. We looked for the spaces behind the defense. I feel good with this win and we still have the away match ahead of us. We played better than PAOK. In the end we struggled a little bit because fatigue got into the team. Just keep the focus, defensively keep it compact and finish the chances. When the match starts, we'll keep the focus on our own game and the supporters can make it a witching match. The important thing now is to go back there and find the depths and score when we have the opportunities."
Skóraś is getting full confidence from coach Hayen. "I feel good, both mentally and physically. I started the last three games in the base each time. I work hard for these opportunities and I want to show myself to the team. I hope to win in Greece now. It was adjusting to the level of the team, which is much higher than in Poland. I needed some time, but now I feel ready. I have the support of the teammates and the staff. It's great playing here and especially with the supporters. I'll keep going for it." (KN)
Nordin Jackers: "We can go to Greece with confidence"
Goalkeeper Nordin Jackers had little work to do against PAOK. The Bruges defense played with confidence and kept a good lock on the door. If Blauw-Zwart can repeat this next week, the semifinals will be within reach.
"I have a good feeling after this match. Today we were the better team and had the chances. It is unfortunate that we only grabbed a 1-0 lead, but there are a lot of positives going into next week. For example, we played good soccer and found the spaces. We came to a few good opportunities and other than that we didn't give much away either. PAOK didn't get any big chances, so well done. If we bring this again next week, we can win this over. It's okay to go there with a 1-0 lead. We showed on the pitch that we shouldn't be afraid of this opponent. We can go to Greece with all confidence. The belief in a semifinal is there and after today that only got stronger."
With Nicky Hayen as coach, the group seems to be back playing soccer with confidence. "Yes, I said it this weekend as well. A new wind came in with different tactics and different ways of playing. We're trying to follow that up as best we can and for now it's working out very well." (KN)
Nicky Hayen: "We will not dig in next week"
Club Brugge picked up a deserved victory against PAOK Saloniki, yet there was disappointment afterwards as Blauw-Zwart could not grab a wider win.
"We are not satisfied with the 1-0 win," said Nicky Hayen. "That's actually a positive. When you see that disappointment in the locker room, you notice that there is a great winner's mentality in the team. Still, you could experience a little less pressure there next week if you win a little more generously today. We had enough chances, but were not efficient enough. But we won't dig in there. Unfortunately, we have three suspended next week with Thiago, Mechele and De Cuyper. That makes it a little more difficult, but we have already proven in other matches that we can count on other guys. We will now concentrate on Antwerp and then we will head to Greece with full courage."
Club Brugge had an excellent chance to double the lead fifteen minutes before time, but Igor Thiago missed from the spot. "Thiago has already scored five goals from five penalties, so there was no reason for someone else to kick. Of course, hindsight is always easy. If you let Vanaken kick and he missed, you would also question that. That penalty could have given Thiago a boost of confidence, but unfortunately it didn't work out. He's not the first to miss a penalty and won't be the last. But he has again been very useful for the team and that is also important."
Hans Vanaken had recovered from his illness and immediately played a diamond of a game. "Hans is a very important part of the team and proved again today how important he is for us. But when he wasn't there last Sunday, we proved that we can also find other solutions. That makes it a strong unit. Everyone who has played under me the past few games has proven their worth." (SF)