Royal Antwerp FC still has seven games to play this season. It plays against Union SG three times.
Six play-off matches and a cup final are still on the agenda for Mark van Bommel and his troops. Union SG is the opponent three more times.
Both teams were unable to convince in the Champions’ Play-offs, but despite everything they managed to keep the peace at The Great Old. That was slightly different at Union SG when you saw how the players reacted in recent weeks.
“You cannot ignore the fact that the pressure there is extremely high,” Van Bommel told Gazet van Antwerpen. “If you lose twice in thirty games, and now four times in a row – when it has to happen – well, that weighs on everyone.”
Not an easy situation for Union SG, but the fact that it will not be easy in the coming weeks also applies to Royal Antwerp FC. And the Dutchman realizes that all too well when you have to play against each other three more times.
Cup final
“That’s crazy,” Van Bommel continues. “Or I’m going to try something in the play-offs now – which is a strange thing anyway. If things don’t work out, you lose that match with, say, 3-0 and you know that this approach may not be an option for the cup final. But then you also throw away the play-offs.”
Although doing the same thing he already did is no guarantee. “Knowing that we defeated Union three times last season, there is no guarantee of reaching the cup final. And what is also possible: I will change it on Thursday, and not on Sunday. What do I do on May 9?” Van Bommel laughs.
