Antwerp coach Mark van Bommel, who is celebrating his 47th birthday today, expressed satisfaction on Sunday after his team's first victory in the Champions Play-offs of the Jupiler Pro League. Cercle Brugge was narrowly defeated.
The reigning Belgian champions, facing an uphill battle in the playoff rounds, have seen their hopes of a title repeat severely dented after consecutive losses to top-tier teams Anderlecht, Genk, and Club Brugge.
With only six matches left and trailing the league leader by nine points, Antwerp sits at sixth place in a tightly contested playoff group that consists of six teams vying for the championship.
In a crucial match against Cercle Brugge, Antwerp managed to secure a narrow victory thanks to a goal by Chidera Ejuke, who was set up by Vincent Janssen. This win provided a much-needed boost to the team's morale. Mark van Bommel, Antwerp's coach, commented on the tactical breakthrough against Cercle Brugge in an interview with Sporza, saying, "We managed to crack the code of Cercle Brugge." This statement comes amidst rumors linking Van Bommel to a managerial position at AC Milan, signaling his continued relevance in the European football scene.
Reflecting on the season's challenges, Van Bommel remains optimistic about finishing strong despite the setbacks. "If you calmly look at the three matches we lost, the football was not as bad as the standings suggest," he asserted, demonstrating his belief in his team's quality and resilience. Van Bommel is under contract with Antwerp until mid-2025, giving him time to build and refine his squad.
Adding to the team's resolve, former Ajax defender Toby Alderweireld expressed his desire to end the season on a high note, despite the initial setbacks in the playoffs. "Mentally, it wasn’t easy to come here with a 0 out of 9. But we knew where the space was. If you play that out even better, you win 0-2 or 0-3," Alderweireld remarked, highlighting the potential for better outcomes had the team capitalized more effectively on their opportunities. He concluded with a focus on the positives from their recent win, "Good three points added, but we shouldn’t look at the standings."
Antwerp's determination to improve their performance and finish the season with dignity reflects the team's commitment to overcoming adversity and possibly shaping an unexpected turnaround in the closing stages of the league.
