Nicky Hayen: "To win games like this, we have to be better"
Blauw-Zwart lost by the smallest of differences to Anderlecht after an unfortunate owngoal by Mechele. A clearly disappointed coach Nicky Hayen addressed the press afterwards.
"I think from the first whistle we had the same feeling we had on Wednesday," the Bruges coach began his analysis. "It is to say that the venue, the Lotto Park, felt that same full energy. You also saw that they gave it their all, for instance early on in the match with that shannanigans between Bertaccini and Raphael Onyedika. We just have to become more natural and smart about that and try to stay cool. That of course helps to get the whole stadium behind it immediately. You then have to bring quality to make the difference, and we didn't do that either."
Club started the match a little less energetically. "That midweek match cannot come as an excuse. You know that when you play at Anderlecht, you always have to match that intensity. In addition, we also knew we had to control the square in midfield, but I'm not going to explain here in what way we had to do that. Either you're going to continue one-on-one, or you're going to match it. If you do neither, then you just have a very difficult opening quarter, with a deserved lead 1-0. You continue with more control with ball possession and you find the right solutions from the back, but you don't get into that final zone enough. They are very crisp and played with a lot of energy and intensity and got chances because of the frivolous soccer they bring."
At the end, the biggest chance came off the foot of defender Brandon Mechele. "That's true, and so we expect more from our attackers, and they know that. We continue to work very hard, but to win games like this, we have to do better."
It had been a while since Club lost at Anderlecht. "Of course you are disappointed as a sportsman and you want to avoid that for as long as possible. So of course the disappointment prevails," concluded a clearly disappointed Club Brugge coach.
Hans Vanaken: "Lose the match in the first ten minutes"
A visibly disappointed captain Vanaken looked for explanations for the defeat in Brussels.
"I think we lose the match in the first ten minutes. Our organisation just wasn't on point. We left them too much space on the wings, and that's also where the goal came from. They got too much space in midfield."
After the opening quarter, Club brushed off and things went better. "By making small adjustments, things went better. At the end we also got the biggest chance to equalize. Of course, leaving here with a point would have given a better feeling. However, that's the way it is now, and it's up to us to pick up the good again after the international break."
An internationa break in which Club is well represented, with plenty of call-ups. "It is a sign that we are doing a good job. Four players with the Red Devils and also Carlos Forbs called up with Portugal. It is proof that we are doing well and that above all we must continue and work to keep improving even after this defeat," he concluded combatively.
Nordin Jackers: "Difficult encounter"
"We didn't play a good game today; it's bitter to be on the losing end here. The cross for that goal was very sharp, which made it difficult to defend under pressure. As a defender, that was a tough situation, and it's unfortunate the ball went in off Brandon. After the break I was able to catch a few more difficult balls, but unfortunately that didn't help us today."