Van Crombrugge: "Very important for Anderlecht"

INTERVIEWS With some crucial saves, Hendrik Van Crombrugge had a big part in the qualification for the group stage of the Conference League in his hundredth match. "I am very happy," he told Sporza afterwards. "It was a beautiful European evening. Everything was in it."


"Before I left home, I said it: 'I hope this hundredth game will have something of symbolism and become a positive experience'. So I'm very happy that we got the European qualification. It was a beautiful European evening. Everything was in it: emotion, intensity and fortunately for us a happy ending."

"Young Boys is a good team. Very complete and physically very strong. Also technically skilled with some nice players. Last year they played in the Champions League. There is quality there. After the first half we were warned. I think we did not play enough football in the first half, but we did much better after the break."

"Good for image Belgian soccer"

In the closing seconds, Van Crombrugge did a crucial save. "A free kick that deflects into the wall is a horror for any goalkeeper. Then I'm glad I still had a reflex to get the ball out with some part of my body and that the rebound went wide. Such a save gives mental energy for the penalty kick series."

"At the press conference on Wednesday, I wanted to take the pressure off a bit, but we shouldn't minimize the importance. This qualification is very important for Anderlecht. Financially, but also for the image of Anderlecht and Belgian football. If you want to make steps, you have to achieve certain goals. This was one of them. This is another springboard towards the future."

At the end, Anderlecht played with a lot of youngsters. "I've been here for four years now and am not used to anything else," laughed Van Crombrugge. "Chapeau for them, also for the substitutes. I think it was a good choice too. Those guys are dynamic and light on their feet. They were able to force something against the stiff, somewhat tired Swiss."

"Not gonna be a walk-on in the group stage"

Van Crombrugge didn't show more than a fist going up in the air when he saved that penalty kick. "Vinnie (Kompany, ed.) said he doesn't know anyone in soccer who is cooler than me. Inside, I'm immensely happy, but outwardly I try to be a calm person for everyone."

"You don't compete to be an extra. Last year the Conference League was looked down on a bit, except at the end. But when you see what teams participate in it, it's a full-fledged European competition. I also notice that the Conference League is now rated higher. We are going to try to be the best possible version of ourselves."