Rik De Mil: "We really deserved more"

Coach Rik De Mil was very pleased with a strong first half from his team, but sees small mistakes as the basis for an Antwerp comeback. In addition, the loss of Sylla did not help in this match story either.

"I think we started that match incredibly well. Tactically, putting pressure and still playing good soccer. We had everything under control AND we grabbed our moments. They took more risks during the second half and that led to a little bit more chances. It's an unbelievable shame that we took that 3-2 again on a stoppage time. We are very disappointed, because we really deserved more," said a disappointed Rik De Mil.

That goal in the first half is at the root of the Antwerp comeback, according to the coach: "We gave them back oxygen by swallowing a goal on stoppage time in the first half, it was like at Genk. Antwerp struggled with us, but in the second half we had less ball possession and tried to go higher," a tactical plan that De Mil said did not quite work out. In addition, De Mil regretted the substitution of Sylla: "He was in the game well, but after a push he indicated he could not continue and had to be substituted. Spileers certainly filled in well, but those extra pounds Sylla has were welcome against a physically strong opponent."

For the coach, it's small aspects that finally killed off his team: "They had some chances, but it's not like Mignolet had to make a lot of saves. At that 2-2, the crowd put their full backing behind it again and then you do feel the nervousness. So it's a great pity we got the 3-2 in the final seconds. (JDN)