Nicky Hayen: "We got 15 out of 15, albeit each time with the smallest difference"
Nicky Hayen saw his team take a fifth consecutive league victory against Dender. Although Club still made things difficult for itself at the end of the game.
"During the first half we were in control. The ideas and intentions were good, but the quality was not always top notch. There were several smooth combinations through the center and also good actions on the flanks with Forbs and Tzolis. However, we also gave away some dangerous counters, while we knew we had to be vigilant for that. At halftime we then adjusted some details. The main point was that everyone had to make themselves playable, but that didn't always work. As a result, it became more laborious and sluggish. You knew you had to make a third to avoid getting into trouble again. Eventually the tying goal fell and we were lucky that the header at the end did not go in. We took the three points and 15 out of 15, although each time with the smallest difference. That shows we are not at the top yet. We could have made it easier on ourselves by scoring that third goal. Moreover, we gave away some balls, which you absolutely must not do next Wednesday against Barcelona."
Raphael Onyedika made his comeback after his injury and the Bruges coach was very happy about that. "He still had some trouble picking up the rhythm right away, but Rapha is very important for the team anyway. He can naturally provide stability and balance very well. He is a huge added value for our team. Whether he can start against Barcelona on Wednesday? Today thirty minutes was the maximum anyway. We will see in the coming days if he can start as early as Wednesday, but in any case he will not be able to handle ninety minutes yet."
Nicolò Tresoldi: "We were not so clinical."
Tresoldi was pleased with the win, but also critical of his own performance. "We did our job, but we have to keep going. We weren't as clinical today, but the important thing is to get the three points."
The celebration of his goal was a reference to the Netflix series Squid Game. "Tzolis and Vermant came to me to say we would celebrate like this when one of us three scored. So after my goal we started celebrating like that."
The next match is marked with a dot. The UCL match against Barcelona. Extra special for Tresoldi. "Lewandowski is one of my idols. I'm most looking forward to playing against him."
Raphael Onyedika: "I'm ready for the duel against FC Barcelona"
"Obviously I'm happy to be back after my painful injury," Onyedika opened his press talk afterwards. "It was only about half an hour that I was back on the field, but I immediately felt that I could stand my ground again. I worked very hard with the medical staff to get back as early as possible and so today I was able to make my comeback. Of course it's not easy to sit on the sidelines and watch your fellow players play, but of course it couldn't be helped. I'm certainly not one hundred percent fit yet, but it won't make much difference anyway. Obviously I'm missing some match rhythm now, but that little half-hour has given me confidence that I'm ready for next Wednesday's game against Barcelona. And yes, that it will again not be an easy task next Wednesday seems clear to me, but nevertheless everyone in our team is obviously looking forward to it, that's a fact. We know what is coming at us, but still we should not be afraid."