Club Brugge are through to the UCL Play-Off Round after a win against Red Bull Salzburg. We had a talk with our coach, and goal scorers Carlos Forbs & Joaquin Seys.
Nicky Hayen: “You know how heated it can get here”
An absolute thriller in leg 2 of the Champions League preliminaries as Blue & Black trailed 0-2 at half time, but managed to turn the tide in an eventful second half. His team's performance clearly thrilled Nicky Hayen. “From kick-off, we showed what we wanted to bring to the pitch, with some attractive play, creating opportunities but lacking efficiency. To boot, we had to kept a level head in the back, as their long ball can create danger on the break. We played that out well, but still conceded that 0-2. Still, our players weren't taken aback at half time, as we had created plenty of choices ourselves. The situation would have been completely different if we hadn't created any chances. Now it was just biding our time for that goal to come, and then you know how things can get heated here. In Salzburg, their pressure abated somewhat sixty minutes in, and that was the case today too. In the end, we deserve this qualification, and that's something to be really proud of. They players showed what they are capable of.”
Bringing on Carlos Forbs for the first time, Hayen saw how the Portuguese thanked him for the confidence bestowed onto him. And what a performance it was, a constant scourge to the Austrian defense, and the author of a magnificent goal to make it 2-2. “I have to admit I didn't think Carlos would be capable of holding on for so long. Just last week, he was ill and he was not fit to play an entire game. We kept him on, even if it was a risk. It meant some other guys needed to help out a bit more defensively, allowing him to chose his moments, which he did brilliantly. Whether he will always be on the right? No, he's capable of playing both wings. And the same goes for Christos. We have a dynamic team, so we want players who have the flexibility to be able to play in positions according to the team's needs.”
Joaquin Seys: “Did not panic”
Joaquin Seys put in a fine performance and proved pivotal in Club's second half turnaround. “This game leaves us reeling. We didn't panic at half time, as we knew more chances would follow. The goals were bound to come if we kept on doing what we were doing, we knew we would be reining it in and that's what we did in the end. It's a positive feeling. We also deserved the win today. For us, it's just a step in the right direction. We are building to get back to that top level, and this was another step in the right direction.”
As to his goal, Club's defender was short. “It all went by so fast. I was late in the box, saw how the ball left from Kyri, and I reckoned shooting was my only option. I had a sweet touch to it, and I knew immediately it would go in.”
A word of praise to the fans at Jan Breydel, as their support did not go unnoticed: “You could just feel it, Jan Breydel was reaching fever pitch. It gives you an extra boost. Backed by our fans we can achieve anything.”
Carlos Forbs: “On my way to goal I felt like I could score”
A first start for Carlos Forbs = a first goal. The nimble winger reflects on his game: "We started out well, but conceded that 0-2. Still, we didn't back down, and in the end we showed we deserved the win. It was a tremendous game, seeing us fight back after that setback and turning it into a 3-2 win eventually. We showed we've got character."
When asked whether he knew his running action could result in a goal, Forbs claimed: "When I left with the ball, and saw the goal approach more and more, I thought I could score. It was an important goal, and it's hard to put into words the feeling I had when it went in, but it was truly magical. Surrounded by all the fans, it's a moment I will never forget."
"My first few weeks at the club have been magnificent. From Day One, I have been welcomed. The players and staff are all attuned to each other, and I couldn't have wished for a warmer welcome. The choice to be playing for Club Brugge came as a logical one to me, and I never really had any doubts. I was still ill last week, but thanks to the physician and the staff I feel much better already. My body is adapting more and more every week. I'm in love with the game again, and with an audience like this, and with nights like these, my love for football can only grow", Forbs reflected on his time so far at FCB. "But now it's all focus on our next game. Only after that we can start thinking about our trip to Rangers FC."