A 1-0 win for Club against Aston Villa tonight. Players and coach coach on Club's 100th Champions League game.
Joaquin Seys: “Always want to give everything for Club”
Another start for Joaquin Seys after his injury, and another five star performance by the youngster. With close snaps to the ball, he was never really put to the test by the English greats. “We were the better team, so we deserved this win. We knew it wouldn't be an easy game, and by the end we were a bit in survival mode. But we won it fair and square. Our defense stood its ground, and we hardly gave them any chances. We knew we would be capable of winning this one, and we played like it. I put in quite some distance. I always want to give everything for Club and I did so today too. I have been missing out on training the past couple of days, but I feel fit, and I was ready to start. My legs felt good too.”
Brandon Mechele: "Team performance"
"A mature game today, both in offense and in defense we gave everything. Particularly in the first half we were clearly the more dangerous team. We struggled a bit more after the break, but we kept putting pressure well, and hardly gave anything away. That penalty situation was somewhat strange, but it's also to our merit that we finish it off. Simon always rolls the ball towards us, so we can always touch the ball and this shouldn't happen to us. We remained focused after the 1-0, and we played it out in a mature way."
Hans Vanaken: “Very proud”
MVP Hans Vanaken retained his cool as he tucked in the winner for Club. Not that evident against the world's best goalkeeper. “What was going through my mind as I took it? Nothing, really. I just wanted to thump it in. He was off rather quickly, I saw him dive so I opted for the other side. I'm very proud. We took it on really well. We brought everything we needed to claim the win. If you want to be part of that top 24, you just have to win games like these. And we did, so we're glad. More could have been in it in Milan too if only we hadn't been down to ten. This victory puts us back on course, and we will do all we can to get in that top 24.”
Nicky Hayen: “Felt the electricity in the air"
A strong team performance, and a stunning win against Aston Villa: what more could a coach want? “You want to try and win each and every game, but today was something extra special. Our 100th game in the Champions League, against a top 4 Premier League outfit, topping the Champions League table with a perfect 9 out of 9. When you can win a game like that, it feels extra fine. What we did differently from the games against Dortmund and Milan? Nothing, we just did the same as we always do. We remained patient, but the difference with the Dortmund game is that we were caught on the break back then. You could see that their 9 out of 9 meant they did not have the urgency to come and win here, but it's still up to us no to give anything away. We remained patient and well organised." Club was also helped with a penalty that came in gift wrapping. "A nightmare for any coach, but a correct decision. It would have been very bitter if it had been the other way round. But it's great that we get some luck too. Hans is always the one deciding who takes it. He took it himself, converting it perfectly and bringing us the three points.” The win caused quite a stir to Jan Breydel. “The stadium comes with a bout of nostalgy for me too. We felt the electricity in the air before the game. It will not always come true, but we also did feel the fans backing us completely. The players kept giving it their all for the full 95 minutes, with a deserved win as a result.”
