Brandon Mechele: “Lacking efficiency“
Fortunately for Club Brugge heroes sometimes see their time coming late in the game. This time Brandon Mechele made sure Club got at least that one point after a performance that had merited more: “Jashari produced a fine corner kick, and I go where I need to go. This is my zone, and this is where I shine, I managed to score a couple of times from that position. But we really wanted more, and deserved so with all that possession, which made us the better team. We had to make sure they wouldn't trick us on the turnover, however. But as has been the case before this season, it's a matter of not being efficient enough in both boxes. We hand it to them in that goal they scored, while we also did not manage to score a second. In the end, the one point should also be okay, and we really should thank Simon for those two excellent saves by the end of the game, avoiding defeat."
The battle in Europe on Wednesday might also have played its part. "Union also had a midweek game, so this excuse could go for both teams. It's just a matter of flipping the switch and going for it 100%. When you're tired, you just have to say so, there are plenty of players in our selection.” (MV)
Ardon Jashari: “Lost out on two points”
Another start for Ardon Jashari, who was clearly disappointed with the result. “We lost out on two points. We were in full control of the game, with 70% possession if I'm not mistaken. In the first half, we had two five star chances, but were still stuck at 0-0. We were also commanding in the second half, but then they score that 0-1 out of nothing. Which forced us to put even more chips on attack, and fortunately we managed to equalise. We kept our cool, but retained our pressure. I do have to admit that we were unable to create many chances, but in my opinion we have to do more with the space we are offered. Zaid Romero pushed on a couple of times, and it was clear they had trouble with that; that's something we have to make more use of in the future. And of course we do realise we miss out on too many chances, but I'm sure that will turn out right in the future.”(FDC)
Simon Mignolet: “We grab too few points”
A closed-up affair, leaving the 1-1 as maybe a sort of correct result. According to Simon Mignolet it all boils down to efficiency. "Taken in its context, I believe we were in control in the first half. We definitely had the chance to open the score, but unfortunately that opener did not come. In the second half we are a bit unlucky when they score the opener, which makes it more of a do or die game, with Union allowed to play their favourite game. Fortunately we managed to score the equaliser from a textbook situation, but then they get those two chances on the break. Fortunately I managed to deny them, and the 1-1 was the final score. This makes it two draws on a spin, at Charleroi and here against Union, and when viewed in the context of those games, it's a point won twice, but here at home at Jan Breydel we should really always claim the full three points. It's not that we play awful football, but we play against a well-organised block, so it takes some time to find that opening and find the free man, but then you also have to score, obviously. With the level of play we had, it's true that we should have taken more points.”(FDC)
Nicky Hayen: “This leaves us with a bitter aftertaste”
A late equaliser left all hopes on that final winner alive, but in the end it just didn't come. “We took a fine start in those opening ten minutes, with fine circulation, but after that the pace dropped. We played towards their pressing too much, but you can see that, when you shift sides, there's room for creating danger. That chance after thirty minutes always should have gone in. After their break, their first attempt on target went in, which meant we now had to go all out. We took on a more attacking stance then. We equalised through a textbook situation, and tried to pile on the pressure again. We also tried to up the pace, but we played it downfield too much all things considered. When you allow two or three seconds between receiving the ball and playing it, the opponent gets time to reshuffle. That winning goal was just out of reach. It kept us stranded at 1-1, leaving us with a bitter aftertaste.” Ten match days into the season, Club now harvested 15 out of a possible 30 points. “For a team the likes of Club Brugge, you just know this isn't enough. We have to play better, and the players have to also add more quality. It's something we need to work on on a daily basis. Whether I'll be asking for an additional striker in the Winter Break? That's something we should discuss internally. With Nilsson still out and Vermant unavailable due to fever, it's slim pickings up front. Let's hope we can recover Nilsson for the next game. His is a tricky injury, but it's only a matter of days before he can return. He won't be out for weeks.”