Hans Vanaken: "Efficiency on both ends of the pitch still a working point"
If only... The game could have gone differently if only Club had capitalised on those very strong first opening minutes. Skipper Hans Vanaken was first row witness. “Our opening ten minutes were outstanding. You will never know whether you would have won if you would just have scored one of them, but it would have helped, of course. At this level, you have to make the most of moments like these. We really should have scored out of one of those two first chances, and the game gets completely different dynamics,” Club's captain gave his two cents.
Onyedika's sending off obviously proved a big change in the game. “After that 1-0 and that red card you just get a different game. We kept believing in it, and we noticed their were opportunities in the first half. That Kyriani Sabbe goal goes to show. It's a pity, though, that we conceded two more after that.”
It's turning into a running gag: creating chances but not scoring. “It has been like that in the home league too: efficiency at both ends of the pitch. It's still a working point, particularly when you want to win at this level”.
Kyriani Sabbe: “Mentally taxing”
Goal scorer Sabbe started the game on the bench. “I reckon we started out really well, with chances for Ordoñez and Tzolis. Unfortunately it didn't go in, but they did manage to score.” Even after that opening goal, Sabbe kept his hopes up. “We played well in block, but after that sending off straight after the opening goal, you just know it won't be easy.”
Coming on at half time, Sabbe thanked coach Hayen with the equaliser. “Scoring is always great. I just played my own game. Even when we were down, I kept fighting, as we had to keep them from widening the gap in view of possible qualification.” A gratifying goal, but Sabbe is even more pleased with the fact that he can finally play football again. “It has been a mentally taxing period for me with that injury. I'm happy I can play again. I kept working hard on my return, and it paid off.”
Simon Mignolet: "After that 1-1 you could feel the batteries drain"
An Olympic goal chimed in the downfall of Club Brugge at AC Milan. A downheartened Mignolet reflected on the defeat at San Siro. “That ball went over Jutgla and Vanaken. Morata blocked Hans, making it so tough to defend. We knew that they were good in textbook situations, they make the most of the tallness of their players.”
Despite that setback, Club brushed off and equalised. “Even down to ten we went for it and scored that neat 1-1. That was very positive, but after that they brought on two, three fresh players capable of making the difference, and that's when you see how strong their selection is. In that 2-1, I think Maxim and I get in each others way. I'll check the footage, but I believe we both head for that ball, and it goes in between us. The score could have been worse by the end, but fortunately it remained at 3-1. The goal average might prove important at the end of the road.”
Even after Onyedika's sending off, Club stayed abreast. “We kept fighting and really went for it. After our equaliser, you could feel the batteries drain. They were able to bring on more quality. We should be proud of what we presented here, but you really have to make the most of your chances at this level. That's the kind of steps we still need to take. It's not unlogical that there's a difference between Milan's side and our side, that's nothing to be ashamed off. 11 vs 11 we were their equals, but if you don't make the most of the moments you get, you can always catch that odd goal.”