Reactions after Club - Juventus

Simon Mignolet

“Very happy with the result and the performance”

The goalless draw against powerhouse Juventus came with a vital point which might put Club in the next round of the Champions League. Simon Mignolet wouldn't hear of it.

“We don't know any of the other results, and we don't know where we're at", the goalkeeper's first words sounded. “Nonetheless, we should be very happy with the result and the performance that helped us to this 0-0. It brings our total to eleven points, a true feat we can be proud of, but we'll have to await the other results before we can be certain of making it to the next round. As to the game itself, you know it's going to be a tactical affair, as they count the points just like we do, so losing is not an option. Italian teams usually keep it very tactical, so you know the devil's in the detail as to the final result. Fortunately we managed to find a solution with still 41% possession, not bad against a top team the likes of Juventus. They had two chances in the second half, just like we did. We've still got one game to go next week at Manchester City, and we'll also try and enjoy that game and present ourselves the same way we did this season in all of our European encounters, and let's hope we can also prove that we deserve to go on.”

Brandon Mechele

“Hardly gave anything away”

No false notes on Club's side against Juventus. Just like in the past European encounters, Brandon Mechele proved an integral part of the stronghold that was the Club defense.

“I think we played like we did in our past games. In block and trying to hurt them when we reclaimed possession, even if it didn't work out as well as in those last games. We hardly gave anything away, but maybe we didn't create enough ourselves either. Space was opening up in the second half, which helped us breaking out a couple of times when compared to the first half. We managed to retain more possession. A draw against the big Juventus is not bad, obviously. They also lined up some big names in the last fifteen minutes, but we just had to retain that disciplin like we did up until then, and try not to give anything away, and we managed to do so neatly. I just hope those eleven points will be enough to go through, we'll have to await tomorrow's result before we can be certain. I have a good feeling, but let's remain calm for now.”

Nicky Hayen

“Avoided that trap”

With a solid organisatino, Nicky Hayen's outfit claimed that vital point against Juventus after a great team performance. “A game in which we matched the level of patience of our opponents. We avoided getting stuck in their trap they hoped would work. We managed to control that very well, and played a very mature game. We should be very happy with this performance. Whether the point will help us towards qualification? No, I don't think so. As long as everything's possible pointwise, we have to wait. This season's format is abrim with surprises, so let's just await the other results; in any case, we'll be going for it again next week at Manchester City. But right now our focus will be shifted towards the Kortrijk game on Saturday. This has been the 19th game without defeat, and we want to prolong that run on Saturday.”

Ardon Jashari

“Fine team performance“

Stacking up the five star performances, Ardon Jashari again played a pivotal role in the draw against Juventus. “Settling for that point would be the ideal scenario beforehand, so it's fair to say that this point might prove very important. I reckon that we put in a great team performance, particularly when they were in possession. Our discipline was great, and we kept the Italians from the break, while we proved dangerous ourselves in the turnaround a couple of times. Again, this has been a top performance against a particularly strong team, which has shown its many qualities both in the home league and in the Champions League so far this season. Nonetheless, apart from that one header in the second half, they were hardly capable of creating chances. In the end we may even have had the best chances through Jutgla and Nilsson. But oh well, we should be happy with this point.”
“I don't know any of the other results, and there are still more games of importance tomorrow evening. So I don't know whether that point will be enough for us. Also, we still have our away game at Manchester City, even if we do realise that it won't be a walk in the parc there."

Maxim De Cuyper

“Point might be vital“

“Even if the draw doesn't exactly feel like a victory, we grab a fine result tonight, and the point might be of huge importance. We would have settled for this before the game. I don't know any of the other results, but in contrast with what was said before the start of the league phase, that last fixture might still determine our fate. At this point, we don't feel like we are writing history just yet, as there's still no guarantee." 

“Both teams did their homework in a tactical respect, making it a close game, with two low blocks. It was clear that both teams would be happy with that point, keeping both outfits from putting too much risk in its game, and and giving away too many chances. Every single one of us stuck to his work perfectly, allowing us to welcome Juventus in block. It's another test we withstood with flying colours."

Hans Vanaken

“Tactically strong organisation“

Just like Maxim De Cuyper and Ardon Jashari, Hans Vanaken had no trouble settling for the one point: “The game went just like we expected and hoped, as this point might be enough to make it to the next round. Our tactical organisation was great, and we kept the space narrow, keeping Juventus from playing forward all too easily. They may have claimed most possession, but in the end they created next to no chances. Kudos to the coach and our technical staff who came well prepared, and came up with a plan to eliminate their strengths and make the most of their weaknesses. I can't stress this enough, as it heas helped us towards great results on every occasion. What proved vital today was to try and keep from getting trapped by allowing them space. We may have been unable to create some depth to our game, but this Juventus is very strong defensively, and they also hardly gave anything away. It's no accident they haven't lost in the home league so far, even if we also realised they have trouble winning, as they had already drawn thirteen times. It's not for me to say how they should go about it, obviously; we only have to focus on our own performance, which even keeps us from thinking about this impressive run we are having. On Saturday, another home game awaits with Kortrijk, so unfortunately there won't be much time for enjoying this."