Read below all the reactions after the match between Club Brugge and KV Mechelen.
Hans Vanaken: "Focus on ourselves, we'll see what the other teams do"
Upon his return, captain Hans Vanaken once again proved invaluable to his team. "The victory in itself is just good. Of course it's interesting for us that Union drops points tonight, but the main thing for us is to focus on our own game and then what the other teams do. Tonight both results went our way, so in fact it couldn't be better."
"We start the match out strong, with an immediate goal in the first ten minutes. Then we get that setback on a free kick and our confidence is gone a bit, with a lower drive too. At halftime we corrected that and said that we had to showcase the necessary energy again. We also changed our formation somewhat on a number of positions and then of course that early goal by Stanković helps to give the team to a much needed boost. So there was more space and we ended up doing very well in the second half."
"We agreed that I would indicate so in time if things didn't go as planned. I'm glad I was not replaced because it wasn't working out anymore, but more out of precaution. I can play because it's pain that I can put in its place, and play with without making it worse. I just keep going to try and help the team. That's how football is and I'm happy to take that."
Ivan Leko: "Very satisfied with this win"
A vibrant Club saw a fervent second half blessed with a lot of goals. The draw at Union also left the Club family hopeful as to what's to come.
"First of all, I am very happy with this victory," Club's T1 started out. "However, I also agree with my fellow coach that the score is perhaps a bit exaggerated. In the first half we also had enough chances to take it to 3-1 or 4-1, but I felt that the match was more in balance. The second half was different, so I am very satisfied with this win. As of tomorrow, our focus will be on the match against KAA Gent."
Club had little trouble shaking off KV Mechelen in an eventful second half. "I just felt that in the second half we put a lot more eagerness into our game, more heart and more soul, which resulted in a lot of goals." Meanwhile, Union got stuck at a draw against Gent. "I honestly don't really care about that result. Too bad for Union that they lose points, but I just focus on my own team. After the game last Sunday, I didn't feel any extra pressure either. This is just how it's played, where sometimes you win and sometimes you lose," Ivan Leko concluded.
Hugo Vetlesen: "Mistakes from the first half corrected well after the break"
Hugo Vetlesen was given the nod again, thanking his coach with a goal. A dominant Club still conceded that equalizer. "One moment can sometimes tilt a game. And that was the case with that goal we conceded. We stopped finding solutions and got out of our rhythm. That, combined with too many mistakes, was not a good thing."
In the second half, Club started out strong again, reclaiming the lead. There was no uncertainty in the team. "I don't think we lacked confidence. We continued the good rhythm from the beginning of the game and started to play fine football again. So we corrected those mistakes from the first half very well."
Nordin Jackers: "Extra pleasing victory"
The three points clearly pleased our goalkeeper. "This is a good result for us. We started out well today, with chances to make it 2-0, but then we conceded that equalizer. We also showed today that we can get over receiving a blow like that."
As to the playoffs and the tighter gap vis-à-vis Union, Jackers does not want to look too far ahead just yet. "We have to take it one game at a time right now. These playoffs are a rollercoaster. We have to take as many points as possible and keep playing our own game. Two days ago for many we were out of the title race, today we are back."
After Gent's draw against Union, Jackers is also definitely wary. "Matches against Gent are always difficult. But I'm also sure we can get a good result if we can play our game."
Carlos Forbs: "Very important to get that win"
The Portuguese winger was decisive with a goal, an assist and a foul leading to that penalty kick. "We are very happy because this victory is extremely important, especially after last week's result. I don't really listen to the criticism, we know that we just have to win every game to become champions. In doing so, I try to do my best to help the team. Of course it's good for us that Union is losing points, but we just have to keep going. We know what we have to do!"