Tom Boudeweel: “Fiorentina was a better team, but I thought of the Dortmund scenario in Paris”

Club Brugge was just unable to realize its European final dream. It stumbled at the last hurdle. After a late penalty for Fiorentina in the return of the semi-final, the score was 1-1 in Bruges, Club had to make up for a 3-2 loss. Commentator Tom Boudeweel saw in his radio analysis that the qualification was deserved.

Of course there is disappointment at Club Brugge about the elimination and perhaps also the way in which the penalty was taken 5 minutes before the end.

The scenario was certainly good with the 1-0 after 20 minutes, by which time the deficit from the first leg had already been made up. It went towards extra time.

But the most and the best chances were for the Italians, just like in the first leg. They hit the target frame 3 times. Fiorentina was the better team, the core is also a bit more expensive. They dominated the second half and also had the best chances in the first half.

I think that if the opponent is better, it is a little easier to accept it. That was also the sentiment among the players and coaches afterwards. And also from the fans, who gave the team a thunderous applause.

But when you are so close to it, it does hurt a bit, of course.

If the opponent is better, you can accept it a little easier. That was the sentiment among players, trainers and fans.

Tom Boudeweel

Does Club have anything to blame? In retrospect you can say that Club played less good football. But I think that also depends a bit on the opponent. Fiorentina has forced its game on Club Brugge.

Gradually, Club Brugge got better into the match. The first chance immediately made it 1-0, they had a chance to make it 2-0. But the second half was sloppier again, ball possession could have been better, but the opponent also put good pressure.

Actually, the scenario was in my head from the day before, when Borussia Dortmund also lost in the semi-final of the Champions League.

But in the end you can look back on a beautiful course. They started in the second preliminary round and ended up in the semi-finals. It is certainly not bad that you only lose 3 times in 18 games – not once at home. They can rightly be proud of that.

In retrospect you can say that Club played less good football, but that also depends on the opponent.

Tom Boudeweel

I don’t think this elimination will have any consequences for the title fight. The players realize that this may be the only chance to ever play a European final. Especially with the experienced, slightly older men like Vanaken, Mignolet, Mechele…

But it is precisely because of their experience that they can place this. It’s a shame, the elimination always comes, but it’s part of it. You can continue, but you can also lose.

Now they can put everything on the title. That might be an extra motivation. I think Club can quickly pick up the flow they were in again.

They get some extra days to process this. The opponent on Monday is Union, which plays the cup final today.

And let’s be honest: under Nicky Hayen they have only lost once.