Mixed feelings for Philippe Clement: the Club Brugge coach reacted happy and concerned after the summons of Charles De Ketelaere (and other internationals). Clement fears new corona infections in his team. “I would rather not see boys leave,” he said.
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It is going fast for Charles De Ketelaere: in one year’s time it went for the 19-year-old Bruggeling from his professional debut in the Champions League to Red Devil. Clement grants De Ketelaere. “Times have clearly changed: now friendly international matches are also being added to the calendar in addition to the Nations League. Then it is logical that a larger group is selected. It is great for Charles that he can taste that level in this way. ” But extra matching also means extra work: according to Clement, that means looking for problems. “That is actually incomprehensible for the clubs. The calendar becomes even more crowded, and the matches follow each other even faster. During the previous international period you already heard various Red Devils protest. ”
And then there is corona: during the previous two international breaks, Club Brugge kept getting infected players back. First there was Mechele, last month Mignolet and Kossounou had the flags. “As a coach in times of corona I would of course prefer that no boys are called up,” said Clement. “We will talk about it. In the exercise complex we live in our bubble day in, day out. In the past four weeks, the players have barely had one day off. Besides the club, my boys only see their families. But then you suddenly have to switch to another team and bubble, so you start traveling and even come into contact with other staff members. That is very annoying, because you lose all control over the situation. Now: I can hardly put my players under a bell jar. They know what security measures they have to adhere to. ”
Before Club Brugge lets all internationals go, the match at Ostend next Sunday will follow. After four games without a win, it can safely storm again by the sea. “Ostend is a difficult team to play. They want to play forward very quickly and suppress your rest at the ball. It’s a bit of a story like LASK, which we know from last season. Antwerp was also introduced to this this week ”, says Clement. Clement is happy that – despite the defeat – he saw a reaction from his team against Dortmund after the non-match against Mechelen. “I would rather have linked that to a result, but the answer already pleased me. At times we had 49 percent possession of the ball against Dortmund. You don’t see many teams doing that. ”
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