Nicky Hayen wants a scalp from Genk on Sunday: “The aim is to be the leader with Club before New Year”

With Club Brugge-Genk, numbers 2 and 1 (in that order) will face each other on Sunday. Club wants to reduce the gap with the leader to 1 point. According to coach Nicky Hayen, his team did not float after the victory against Sporting: “We are not on a pink cloud.”

Last Tuesday, the euphoria was still great at Club Brugge after the victory against Sporting in the Champions League. According to coach Nicky Hayen, his players have already returned to the ground.

“We are not on a pink cloud. Everyone realizes the importance of the match against Genk,” Hayen said at the press conference.

“We are playing against a very good opponent, who is full of confidence. It is not without reason that they are in first place.”

“They are on trial there. It is now up to us to push them out of there. The goal is to do this before New Year.”

“We have to remain humble. If we lose on Sunday, the difference is suddenly 7 points. Then you should no longer talk about going into the winter break as a leader.”

It is the number 1 against the number 2. You feel less tired for those kinds of top matches.

Nicky Hayen (coach Club Brugge)

While Club Brugge strings the matches together, Genk has a much quieter programme, without European football. “That can always make a difference of a few percent,” says Hayen.

“But our core is broad enough. The substitutes made the difference against Sporting. That will be no different on Sunday.”

“It’s number 1 against number 2, for those kinds of top matches you feel less tired. There are also plenty of rest days between Tuesday and Sunday.”

Hayen has an almost complete squad at his disposal against Genk. So with Brandon Mechele there. “He broke his nose, but will be able to play. He has been given a mask and he is doing well with it.”

Club Bruges

KRC Genk