Hans Vanaken: "That first goal came too easily"
A 2-0 defeat at Charleroi meant Club had to put a cross through its aspirations of getting a back-to-back Cup win. “I reckon that first goal came a bit too easily", skipper Vanaken started out his analysis. “We lost possession too easily, with a penalty kick to boot. In that second goal, I lost the ball in midfield, allowing Guiagon to fire it in with a fantastic shot, there's not much you can do about that.”
Club had trouble creating chances. “It was all too often close but no cigar for us. We lacked that bit of luck inside their box. It's not like we didn't attack, that ball just wouldn't go our way. And then we scored that goal drawing closer, but it gets denied for off side. That really could have changed the game, but as long as we don't get that goal, Charleroi gets to play its own game, and they get some more chances on the break” Vanaken concluded.
Ivan Leko: "Analyse this well and keep working hard"
A disheartened coach Ivan Leko also offered his two cents on the game. "I'm very disappointed. More specifically about the result, obviously. I reckon we started out well, dominating, and getting that ball inside the final 20 to 30 meters. We lacked patience for everything after that. We wanted to finish off this game as soon as we could, but our decisions in the final third did not help this. Charleroi proved very dangerous on the break, and we also handed them that one error prior to that penalty kick. After that goal, we needed to stay calm. We had the most possession, but they were ready and eager to capitalise on our mistakes. They then scored that fabulous second goal, which forced us to go all-in in the second half. The game was open, and we tried finding that goal to bring us back into the game."
"Unfortunately we made too many technical errors. The pitch proved better for direct football with a long ball system. Charleroi proved better in that aspect, so they deserved this win. Painful as it is, because we really wanted this, and have been training hard in that respect. But today, under these circumstances, it just wasn't good enough."
Not the best of performances from the visitors at Charleroi, which our coach agreed upon. "It is not like we are worrying right now, it just wasn't a good game. Despite a fine first 20 to 30 minutes, and some better periods in the second half, we just weren't good enough organisational and when it comes to efficiency. Particularly our positioning inside the box was below par. It takes a cool head when you're winning, but also when you're losing. We need to analyse this thoroughly, and keep working hard. It's just the one game, and of course it's very painful for all of us, but we will be back. We will keep on working, and reshift our focus onto the next game. Come Friday we will show that we are capable of better football than what we showed here today."