2023-08-23 07:00:46
Antwerp beat AEK Athens 1-0 on Tuesday in the first leg of the Champions League. The Antwerp coach Mark Van Bommel said to himself “extremely happy” following the match, but knows that the ticket for the group stage is not yet in the pocket.
“You felt before the match, when the Champions League anthem sounded in the stadium, that it was a fantastic moment for the club“, explained Van Bommel in a press conference.
“I think we played a good first half. We scored a fantastic and deserved goal, but we have to be happy that AEK didn’t equalize because they had three or four chances. We did well sometimes.“
Jelle Bataille was sent off in the 50th minute following a dangerous tackle. “The meeting has completely changed. We had to fight and showed character, just like we did last year“, underlined the Dutchman.
“This team never gives up and we survived their last offensive. In the end, when you win 1-0 in the Champions League, playing forty minutes shorthanded, you must be happy with the victory.“
The return will be played on August 30 in the Greek capital. “We are halfway there. It will be a crazy match there, but we have to prepare for it. It’s the Champions League, the details will determine the result“, concludes Van Bommel.
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