Vanaken: "Hard-fought point"
“We came back well having conceded that 2-0. Considering the events of the game, it's a hard-fought point. Even 2-0 down, we keep beleiving in ourselves.”
The strong Union start spurred coach Nicky Hayen towards changing his tactics. “We made a few changes to our system. We did have some chances to score before that, and we were really unlucky with that own goal. We kept believing in it too, even when we conceded that goal. It's a thing we'll be taking from this game, that we can come back, just like we id against Sporting, even if it was just one goal back then.”
As per tradition, Union started out fiesty. "They started out well, with fire and intensity, but were unable to create anything from it. Up until minute 35 when Simon had that excellent save. Then you concede that goal just before the break. A free kick 50 meters upfield, which we wanted to drop inside the box. I don't think seys got a good touch to that ball, and they scored on the turnaround. An unfortunate moment, so close to the break. With Jutgla on we were able to play in a different system, which may have come as a surprise to them. It helped us securing that point.”
There were a couple of things to be said about the penalty situation involving Tzolis. VAR took a look at it, but assessed it no foul. “Not easy to see clearly on the pitch. I take it that VAR checks everything, and came up with the right decision. I'll be watching the footage later on.”
“That final chance came with a fine save by Mignolet, tapping it away from under the crossbar, but it then came down again too. My only option was to play it high, after which Mignolet was able to hold on to it easily.”
Nicky Hayen: "A draw the correct result"
2-0 down against Union, Club was able to draw level in an eventful second half.
"A 2-0 lead for Union means you are in a bit of a predicament. When you can go on and bring this on the pitch and get that comeback, you can still be happy afterwards." Nicky Hayen's changes also reaped its benefits. "There's always a plan A and a plan B. We would have preferred not to concede that second goal, as it was something we feared at that point. When it did follow, you go on to go for plan B without further ado. It panned out well, and we took over. It produced a very open game with chances to win it on both sides. A draw is then a correct result. We know Tzolis is capable of playing between the lines. When you can get him combining with Jashari and Vanaken, linked up with two wingers capable of an individual forward action, there's more in it. We haven't had that much time to train on, and it's not our standard system, but it's an alternative we can keep in mind from now on", a satisfied coach decided.
Mignolet: "Bitter goals we conceded"
Another five star performance by Club's goalie at the Dudenpark. “My reflexes helped the team towards a point, and I'm very happy with that. It's part of my game, and I won't be getting rid of them. I was able to get to that Ivanovic effort in the first half. In what looked like a very desperate situation, you should never give up. Fortunately I got my hand to it well. I was also happy that I didn't collide with the post, it was a close call.”
Still, Mignolet had to fish two out of his nets. “The goals we conceded were bitter. It would have been a pity to go home empty handed. We were 2-0 down with twenty minutes on the clock.“
Club's goalie had some kudos in store for his team. “We managed to react well as a team. Those coming on brought something extra to the team, allowing us to score twice.”
“There was also a hefty situation by the absolute end of the game, but unfortunately that also didn't go in. All in all this is a fine result. We keep our unbeaten run, which is also important."