Mark van Bommel wants to avoid cup disgrace (such as that of Ajax) in Ostend: “Antwerp is obliged to continue”

READ ALSO. Bad luck for Antwerp: FIFA rejects Marc Overmars’ appeal against global suspension

Shortly before the press chat started, Van Bommel learned that Marc Overmars’ appeal had been rejected by FIFA and that the Director of Football Affairs was not allowed to resume his duties at Antwerp. “We still don’t know what the content of the sentence is, so I can’t say more about it. I haven’t spoken to Marc yet,” said the Dutchman. By which he means: not yet heard since the appeal was rejected. Of course, the Dutch still speak to each other in private. “We just hope that there will be clarity as soon as possible,” Van Bommel continued to hit the same nail.

Lammens or Butez?

From the Director of Football Affairs to the real football matters. The first leg in the Croky Cup semi-final will not be a pleasant trip to the sea. “Eupen, Genk and RWDM,” Van Bommel listed the first division teams that were knocked out of the cup competition by KVO. “So we have been warned. Look at Ajax, which was surprised by an amateur club (fourth division Hercules, ed.). Strange things always happen in the Cup, but we are simply obliged to continue,” said Van Bommel, who once again repeated his well-known slogan: “If you can win a prize, you should win it.”

Rotate in the Croky Cup? So forget it. “I’m not in favor of rotation anyway, so I’m not going to suddenly drop five new guys into my team.” In the previous cup matches, Senne Lammens was always under the bar, but MvB did not want to play open cards with us. “I never do,” he winked. “Senne played the previous cup matches and did well. He is the future. Senne can last another fifteen years here. If he stays.”

Waiting for De Laet and Matazo

Janssen received two yellow cards in the previous round and is suspended. Engels, Valencia, Coulibaly and Balikwisha are still injured. Thursday’s cup match also comes too early for De Laet, but the right back may be part of the match selection again on Sunday. Yusuf will play the semi-final of the Africa Cup with Nigeria on Wednesday evening and will play the (consolation) final this weekend, depending on the result. “It’s fantastic that he is still in the running to win the Africa Cup and that he is making minutes. Hopefully he comes back with the cup”

Eliot Matazo (center) talking to club doctor Wim Geerts after the win against Club Brugge. — © BELGIUM

So no Yusuf against Ostend and RWDM. Eliot Matazo, the only incoming winter transfer, also has to miss both matches. “He was quickly integrated. New boys are immediately included in the group. That’s nice as a newcomer in the middle of the season. But I can’t put a date on his debut. He won’t get RWDM anyway.”

Happy Birthday

In addition to Matazo, there was another newcomer in the Antwerp ranks. Since February 1, Jean Kindermans, who came over from Anderlecht, has been the new CEO Youth. “I haven’t seen him yet. It’s good that he is here, together with Steven Smet (head of youth training, ed.),” said Van Bommel, who still expects an answer to his ‘Happy Birthday‘ to Arthur Vermeeren, who turned 19 today. “I have sent a message, but have not received a response yet. Star allure? (laughs) No, he must be training. Although. They’re playing tonight, right? That’s right, Copa del Rey. He must have received a lot of messages.” Or as befits a professional: full focus on match days. “That is also possible,” Van Bommel concluded.

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