Brandon Mechele: “Proud of our game and our campaign”
Celebrating your birthday on Tuesday, putting in a great UCL performance at Manchester City on Wednesday. No reason for tears in Brandon Mechele. “I'm happy with my game. I'm proud of our campaign, but definitely also of this game. Our block was well-organised, and we hardly gave anything away in the first half.”
Taking the lead just before half time, Club could only bear witness to how City rose from its ashes in the second half. “Bringing on Savinho really changed the game, adding more dynamic and speed to the City team, making it harder on us.” All's well that ends well for Club, making its way to the knock-out phase. “Atalanta or Dortmund? They both seem like nice encounters to me”, Brandon Mechele concluded.
Simon Mignolet: “Reward for an outstanding Champions League campaign”
Losing 3-1 to Manchester City, the bitter pill was soon swallowed as Club made it to the Knock-out Phase, much to the relief of goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.
“Taking into account our entire campaign, I reckon we can be satisfied with what we achieved. From the onset, our goal was to make it to that top 24, and we managed to do so. We now also reap the rewards of the excellent way in which we, just like we did tonight, presented ourselves. We did realise that, once City shifts into its top gear, we would be having a tough time in trying to cause an upset here.”
“Our plan worked out perfectly up until that 1-1, and we managed to go for that break a couple of times both in the first and in the second half, but after they equalised, they surged forward, and it comes down to a bit of luck then. They scored the 2-1 and 3-1 with great timing, and we knew what time it was. I do believe we have outdone the performance we had two seasons ago. Before the very first game, it was said we would need at least 8 points to push through, and in the end it turned out to be eleven against some hefty opponents in games in which we always showed our strengths, so I reckon this comes as a great reward to outstanding Champions League campagne.”
Hans Vanaken: “Very proud“
Another five star performance by Club legend Hans Vanaken, returning from illness. Despite the 3-1 defeat, he was very happy to see his team qualify.
“Of course I would have preferred a draw, it would helped us towards qualification in a beautiful way, but we knew it was going to be rough here away at Manchester City, and so it was. In the end, we're thrilled to be among those first 24, which had been our goal ever since we kicked off this Champions League campaign. Despite the hefty draw, it wasn't that self-evident, but we managed to succeed, and we are definitely proud we did so. Our first half was excellent, playing a concentrated game. City with the possession, which leaves it up to us to keep following that man.”
“We then went on to score that beauty as we headed for the dressing rooms, but we already realised that second half wouldn't be a doosy. And so it appeared, we came too late a couple of times, and they punish that immediately with all their qualities. We nevertheless had some chances on the turnaround when it was still 1-1, but when you don't manage to capitalise on those moments, you just can't get a positive result. From what I heard we are playing either Atalanta Bergamo or Borussia Dortmund in the next round, but that's something we can think about later on. They are both strong teams, but I do we believe we showed that we can also pull our weight against any team, so we'll see things when we get there.”
Nicky Hayen: “Sense of pride and relief”
The defeat at Man City also had its up sides, as Club managed to make it to the UEFA Champions League Play-Offs. A content and proud coach Hayen joined us at the press conference.
"It's with a sense of pride and relief that I am sitting here tonight. Proud, because we have presented ourselves in a positive way throughout this campaign, just like we did tonight. Relief too, as our goal average was not that positive after our games against Dortmund and AC Milan, which could have caused problematic in the end. So relieved that we have made it, but also a feeling that it is well deserved."
The fact that Vincent Kompany's Bayern beat Dinamo Zagreb so emphatically on the opening day also helped Club in the end. "I can give him a call, we can always do that, as Belgians amongst each other", Nicky Hayen was all smiles. During the encounter with Man City he also shared a couple of words with his fellow coach Pep Guardiola. "He indicated that we have a very strong outfit, and that we presented ourselves in a very positive manner. He told me we should be proud of our run, and that we should continue along the path chosen. I do believe that we should be very proud with the way we presented ourselves during this league phase. Tonight's game also saw a very well-disciplined first half performance, with not that much chances for them. We left the ball to City, but we kept things very tight. We knew their would be space in the back of their defense, and we executed that well. We wanted to continue like that in the second half, but then we started making those slight errors. A team with the renown of City capitalises on that. In the end, we can admit that they deserved the win, but I do think we presented ourselves in a good way."
"We try to push this group day after day, and I want to stress how much the group deserves this. We had a plan, and we stuck to it nearly perfectly. We are happy to be progressing, and we remain ambitious. We can now live towards our next game against either Dortmund or Atalanta. This team wants to perform and improve every day. Today's mistakes and how they get punished might also come as a lesson. There's still room for improvement, and the group wants to get better desperately. We'll see what it gives in the next round."
The space offered by City in the back of their defense left room for more opportunities. "That would definitely true had we made the right decisions, but we didn't. It might have to do with a bit of fatigue at that point, as there was a lot of ground to be covered with a lot of runs. On the other hand, you just have to make the right decisions at this level. You won't be creating ten open chances, and those you get you need to finish off clinically or play out well. We didn't succeed in doing so, and that's something we need to work on. But the fact that you are already creating it and executing it, that's a step forward, and we'll try and keep growing." A painstaking wait after the game followed, as the result of the Dinamo Zagreb had to be awaited. "Seven minutes of added time, but they still needed three goals. Against ten, but stranger things have happened in football. Up until last week, everyone thought we would have been qualified even before kick-off to this game. It takes some waiting. Albeit a bit more relaxed, three goals is a lot. When that final whistle is given, you can be proud of what you've achieved. We have been welcomed here in a very positive way. Very correct and very warm, so very positive."
Next up will be Dortmund or Atalanta. "No preferences there. We already had Dortmund in the group phase, and as to Atalanta, we just know they have a fabulous outfit. An Italian team again presenting itself as a great team in all aspects of the game, i.e. one on one pressure, lots of footballing skills, ... I reckon it was just very important to be going to that next round. Which doesn't mean we are not ambitious to proceed even further. We just have to remain humble, and try to avoid the errors we had today. It will take two perfect games again (home and away). When we present ourselves again just like we did throughout this campaign, I don't believe many people will say we are without a chance", a clearly satisfied Club-coach concluded.