Blauw-Zwart could not follow up the 3-0 win against Aarhus in terms of result. Club was very dominant, but stuck to a 1-1 draw. Coach Ronny Deila regretted his team's point loss.
"We were very dominant in the first half. We also created several chances but didn't score. Then they get that free kick and we put ourselves in trouble. In the first half hour of the second half, we kept pressing fully and got enough chances to score. We then deservedly equalized through that penalty, but we couldn't score that second one. After that red card it became difficult. In the end, we defended the point, because the man down made it the best we could do. We knew Mechelen was a good team, they showed that last week against Antwerp. It's all about balance and efficiency, and that was lacking today. We played well on Thursday and we played well today, but the big difference is that we didn't finish our chances. Nusa, for example, provided a lot of movement and action, but too few clear-cut chances came from that. But that last part of the pitch is obviously the most difficult. First of all, we have to stay calm and become more efficient in the sixteen. But we know that we will continue to develop in that area as the season progresses. The players are working hard and there is a good atmosphere in the team, so I am confident that we will take further steps in the right direction.
Igor Thiago scored his first official goal for Blue-Black, but the Brazilian struggled at times. "You know with Thiago you always get to see hard work and that was also the case today. He was also able to score and Thursday he also got some chances. You have to be a little patient and hopefully that penalty goal can give him confidence. I'm sure he will develop positively." (SF)