“We are going for an eighth win in a row”: Union coach Alexander Blessin confidently heading into the cup clash with Anderlecht

© BELGIUM

Competition leader Union is full of confidence. On Wednesday evening, the people of Brussels will face city rivals Anderlecht in the quarter-finals of the Croky Cup. “We are playing at home, with the support of the fans we should succeed,” said a confident Alexander Blessin

“What do I expect from the match against Anderlecht? That we won for the eighth time in a row,” Union coach Alexander Blessin answers dryly. It should be clear: Union is bursting with confidence after the seven wins in a row against city rival Anderlecht.

“They have a strong team and were in good shape before the winter break, but so are we,” Blessin explains further. “Besides, we play at home. With the support of our fans, we want to advance to the semi-finals. The cup remains the shortest route to a prize. We don’t want to miss an opportunity. It’s going to be busy for us if we advance, but I like a busy schedule so that’s not an issue. We now have to do without Machida, Lazare and Amoura, but that’s no problem. I already rotated a lot before New Year’s, so everyone is ready. Without Amoura we will have to play something different, but he was not there at the beginning of the season and it worked then.”

Amoura is in the Africa Cup with Algeria and will therefore not be there against Anderlecht. — © Isosport

First winter transfer

Blessin is also not worried about the snow. “We just trained as if the match would take place on Wednesday. There is no reason to think that wouldn’t be the case. We want the match to take place on Wednesday. The field is in good condition, our field heating is on.”

Union announced its first winter transfer on Tuesday with experienced goalkeeper Heinz Lindner. The Austrian immediately trained on Tuesday and was brought in as the second goalkeeper. The expectation is that he will immediately be in the starting line-up against Anderlecht. First goalkeeper Anthony Moris has been suspended after the red card he received against Club Brugge at the end of December. “It is always difficult to find an experienced goalkeeper so we had to take this opportunity. He brings quality as an Austrian international. He has already played six games under national coach Ralf Ragnick, so I am happy to have him there. He made an immediate impression. If his papers are in order, he will be in the selection. Joachim Imbrechts (who is normally Union’s second goalkeeper, ed.) took the news well. There will be difficult moments for him, but we have clearly explained why we were looking for an extra goalkeeper,” Blessin explains.

Previous Post

Anderlecht coach Brian Riemer is counting on emergency defense against Union: “Leoni has a great football IQ”

Next Post

Spanish football star says in TV program that she likes women: “This is much easier in women’s football than in men’s football”

Related Posts