Cyriel Dessers deeply disappointed after the loss of the Conference League: “19 times you do almost everything right, and then one mistake in the final…”

Our compatriot was hardly involved in Tirana on Wednesday evening. Again and again he encountered the defensive bloc of the Romans.

“I often faced three defenders. When straight balls come they are so strong and we just couldn’t use the space behind them enough. We got dangerous a few more times, but it was difficult, also personally. They were well prepared and they made good use of the space”, said Dessers in front of Veronica’s camera.

“They are relentless,” the striker continued. “Even when the ball isn’t close, they come with elbows and knees. Everything is allowed. But I also have to compliment our own defenders, except for one moment they did a perfect job. We can hardly blame ourselves. That you do everything right for nineteen games, but then make one mistake in the final and then be punished for it… Yes, that just hurts a lot.”

Proud Bijlow is disappointed: “A terrible feeling”

Justin Bijlow was fit just in time for Feyenoord’s Conference League final against AS Roma. The goalkeeper just couldn’t prevent his team from losing 1-0 to the Italians.

“A terrible feeling,” Bijlow told ESPN afterwards. “We really wanted to take the cup to Rotterdam, to thank the public and to put Feyenoord and Rotterdam on the map. Unfortunately, that didn’t work. I don’t think we were afraid of the break, but we were much better at the beginning of the second half. Then we had opportunities, we had the pressure and you could see that they really struggled with us. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough,” said the keeper.

For him personally it was a victory that he was on the field at all in Tirana. “That was great, but I would have preferred to be here with a different feeling. Still, I think we can do nothing but be proud of ourselves. Twenty years ago Feyenoord was last in a European final, but I am now standing here with a very unpleasant feeling.”