After the game against Fiorentina, we gathered reactions from Hans Vanaken, Simon Mignolet and Nicky Hayen.
Hans Vanaken: "Very harsh decision by the ref"
Everyone carrying a torch for Club felt the same, as Hans Vanaken could not hide his disappointment shortly after the elimination while speaking to the gathered press.
"Until the 85th minute you have the prospect of prolongations, but as that fatal goal comes so late, the sense of disappointment is obviously particularly great. This is very bitter, but in all honesty I have to admit that throughout the two games they were the better outfit. We were saved by the woodwork three times today, but in the end we had to bow our heads. But you never know what could have happened if you would have made it to extra time," the Bruges captain said.
"We gave it all we have, so there's nothing we are to blame for, but again, it's a very bitter result. Whether that penalty kick was justified? I haven't seen the footage just yet, but I felt like that Fiorentina player goes down with his head while Brandon wants to clear the leather. I thought it was a very harsh decision by the Turkish ref, which apparently was not corrected by VAR either. These are the kind of situations that are still in the grey area, it's a decision that can go either way. Just like in Florence, we could not really put our foot down. No shame in it, as Fiorentina is a strong team, probably ranked lower than where they should be in the Italian league. They put very high pressure and often won that second ball. I reckon we didn't connect enough, so we had trouble getting into our own game. We gave everything, but unfortunately it was not to be. Nevertheless, we had a superb run in Europe, with the semi-finals as the final stage. Still, I am proud of what we accomplished. Right now we have to get over this elimination and clear our heads as we gear up towards our next game on Monday against Union. Three games left, from now on our focus will be on the playoffs and the title." (MV)
Simon Mignolet: "Pity a penalty decides"
What a shame. Club did everything in its power to keep Fiorentina at bay, but a very slight penalty decision meant it was the Italians that make it to the Athens final. Simon Mignolet was down the dumps as his Club suffered that late equaliser.
"Yes, of course everyone who keeps Club Brugge close will be disappointed with this result," the Brugge goalkeeper started out. "Nevertheless, we can and should be proud of the game we played. And yes, our first half was ofj less quality than our second but that was also due to how our opponent handled the game. Fiorentina can bring in fresh guys who in turn weigh on a defense and I think the Italians were the better team. Three, four balls against the woodwork, that's where we got away well and still kept it at 1-0 for a long time, which meant we had everything in our own hands. Then you quietly start thinking about possible penalty kicks and then you never know what can happen, but it's a shame that a penalty decides that we don't get to go to the final."
"It's up to the referee to decide, but in my opinion there was little wrong with what Brandon did, but that's all talk in hindsight. There may have been light contact, but I don't think in such a laden match you should award penalties like that, because you know it's the kind of decision that can decide on whether you get to that Final or not. Taking into account both games, Fiorentina deserve to go through, but I reckon that despite the strenght of our opponent, we still resisted well. The reaction of our fans after the game goes to show. We can be disappointed right now, but as of tomorrow our focus should be towards our next home game against Union, as there obviously still is that other coveted prize." (FDC)
Nicky Hayen: "Disillusion will make way for pride"
With seven minutes to go, Club was still very much in it. A disappointed Nicky Hayen realises Club came very close to making it to that Conference League final.
"Two emotions are reigning: it is bitter to get eliminated by a spot kick, but on the other hand, we can only be proud of how we presented ourselves today. Particularly in the first half. Unfortunately, we weren't able to keep it up, but that is also due to the quality of the opponent, who is perhaps ranked below its value in Serie A. We were well prepared for it, but at a certain point in the game it was a matter of survival, really. That fatigue obviously weighs on us, but we try to deal with it as best we can. If you see the intensity and energy we showed in the first half, it's normal that you have to drop back a bit in the second half. We did everything we could as a group and as a staff to get to that final. The devil's in the details today, but we have nothing to blame ourselves for."
The match was ultimately decided by a debatable penalty? "It is indeed a detail that decides this game. I have to review the footage. His head was quite low, but I don't know if it was a clear error. Brandon was very disappointed, but I'll catch up with him tomorrow. You can't blame anyone today. Now disappointment prevails, but that will make way for pride tomorrow after what we showed in Europe. If you see the reaction of the crowd after the match, that is also what we want to take with us as a group. We have to leave the field with our heads held high. That should motivate us to bring those last three games to a successful end." (SF)