Several players followed the UEFA Conference League group stage draw together this afternoon. Their opinion after Bodø/Glimt, Besiktas and Lugano came out of the drum? You can read those below!
Brandon Mechele:
"This is a nice draw, I think. We have good memories of Beşiktaş by all means. FK Bodø/Glimt is from what I hear a very good footballing team. They play on artificial turf, which might be a slight disadvantage for us. I don't really know FC Lugano yet, we still have to analyze them. I am already looking forward to starting the group stage!"
Antonio Nusa:
"I am very happy with this draw. They are good opponents and they will be fine matches. I am looking forward to returning to Norway. We will obviously do everything we can to advance."
Hans Vanaken:
This is not an easy draw. I don't know FK Bodø/Glimt very well, but Hugo will tell us all about that of course. Beşiktaş is a tough opponent, there it will be a pandemonium with fiery supporters and a crazy atmosphere. It will be a test there for us to see what we can do in those conditions. Union eliminated FC Lugano in the preliminary round of the Europa League, so I think this is a pretty tough draw. But we are Club Brugge, so of course we have to go full out for that qualification."
Simon Mignolet:
"Bodø/Glimt is a distant move, so I'm curious when we play there. The weather conditions may play tricks there. It will be a nice match for Hugo to return, he will also show us their strengths and weaknesses. Beşiktaş was actually the club to avoid from pot 3. It's a strong team, it always has been. So I think that will be our toughest opponent with a hell of an atmosphere with them. That's fun to play in, but more difficult towards qualification. Lugano is still unclear to me. They went out against Union, but of course had qualified for those preliminary rounds of the Europa League. So Lugano is not the nicest opponent from pot 4. But if Union can beat them, we should also be strong enough to win from them."
Maxim De Cuyper:
"It's looking forward to some tough displacements. Beşiktaş is not going to be easy. If you finish third in Turkey, you are one of the top teams there. It's a team with a strong home reputation and a lot of European experience. It is of course looking forward to the atmosphere, I went to watch Beşiktaş-Fenerbahçe last season and that was quite impressive. The fans best take earplugs with them. This group is no gift, but we have to believe in our own qualities as we did against Osasuna. And then we have a nice chance to go through."
Coach Ronny Deila:
"It's an interesting group. They are three good teams. FK Bodø/Glimt and Beşiktaş are the two biggest competitors for group wins. Bodo will also be a special displacement for me. It is a good team and they are doing well in Europe. From Beşiktaş everyone knows it is a strong team. Lugano I don't know much about yet, but we will analyze them well. It will be fun matches, I am counting on full stadiums and then together we will go full for qualification!
