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Union wants to regain its footing after the 0 to 9. On Sunday, the people of Brussels will host club-in-form Club Brugge at home, but trainer Alexander Blessin believes in a turnaround. “Emotions are running high among my players, which I like.”
After the defeat against Anderlecht, Alexander Blessin said that his team was not in for a nice week, but before the match against Club Brugge the German put that into perspective again. “We should not exaggerate either. From the outside it may seem like a crisis here after those three defeats, but that is not the case. We’ve had plenty of chances in every game, so I’m not worried. Although things need to improve defensively. I read everywhere that I shouted loudly at my players in the circle on the field after the match against Anderlecht. That’s right, but I do that every week. You know that too. The feeling was shit this week. Of course you carry those defeats with you, but we worked hard all week.”
Group conversation
“We’ve talked a lot this week. The players themselves have done that together, I am happy about that. If emotions run high, it means that you are not happy with the current situation. That’s the way it is supposed to be. And of course I also addressed them individually. We often do that. However, giving and receiving criticism is easier when everything goes well. When you lose, it hurts more. But if you want to get better, you have to.”
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The Union coach spoke individually with Mohamed Amoura, among others. “I hope he understood me,” Blessin laughed. “You know, I always thought his curve would have ups and downs. He needs time. He is still young and is coming off a season in which he was often on the bench. He has never played two or three games in a row, until now. That does something to you, doesn’t it? Playing with a mask doesn’t help anyway. Moreover, everyone has been heavily defending him lately and everyone is talking about him. That is also new to him. He is Algerian, so emotional. He’s not happy with his performance and I like that. Now he has to take that final step again, keep track of balls just a little better. Learn from these moments. I showed him a video and explained that he should try to dive into other zones. We’ll see if it helps.”
Confidence against Club
Club Brugge will not be an easy opponent to turn the tide on Sunday. Blauw-zwart has been in a good flow since the change of coach and qualified for the semi-finals of the Conference League against PAOK on Thursday. “I saw the match. I don’t think PAOK is such a good team,” Blessin joked. “I am happy for Belgian football, but Sunday is a play-off match. That’s something different. They will come to us with a lot of confidence, but that was also the case the previous times. We have already won twice so we know how to do it.”