Conference LeagueAnderlecht will face a crucial game against the Dutch Vitesse tomorrow. In Arnhem it competes for the qualification for the Conference League. “It feels like a cup match”, Vincent Kompany looks ahead.
“It feels like a real cup match”, Kompany begins his press chat for the return match against Vitesse in the last preliminary round of the Conference League. “It is clear: we have to win. Vitesse also faces the same task, although they do play at home. For us it is also a match that we want to tackle with full energy with the aim of forcing qualification.”
Qualifying for the Conference League would mean a (limited) financial boost for Anderlecht. Whoever makes it to the group stage is already sure of 3 million euros. “The financial impact is completely unknown to me,” said Kompany. “The feeling we had as a team at home against Vitesse last week and the experience of the fans: that’s all I need to know. Getting to the Conference League is important for these guys, and we have radiated that. Okay, it wasn’t perfect in the first leg, but we did show intensity and were on a level. We already had a beautiful European evening and hope to experience it again this season. Whether there is still talk about the missed penalty of ‘Rafa’? No, not at all. That is in the past.”
Kompany hopes that the experienced players – think of Refaelov, Hoedt,… – will stand up to Vitesse. “Some have already been through situations like this. I assume that they do not lie awake all night, with young people that is more difficult to predict. The experienced boys may have more pressure than the youngsters, and I as a trainer even more.”
VIDEO. Kompany: “It feels like a cup match”
Dutch police fear riots with Belgian fans in the run-up to Vitesse-Anderlecht
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