D-day is fast approaching for the Buffalo’s. Less than 24 hours before the kick-off of the cup final against KV Mechelen, went to Jess Thorup and Nana Asare as representatives of towering favourite AA Gent there as well for sitting on the occasion of the press conference – which, as the tradition wants it – was preceded by a amused photo opportunity with the two captains and trainers.
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KAA Gent
01/05 14:30
KV Mechelen
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But after that pleasant interlude, it was for Jess Thorup immediately back serious for the Danish coach is aware that the party of tomorrow afternoon for his team is crucial in the final reckoning of finished his debut season with the buffaloes: “This is the match where everyone for months was looking forward to after we have the semi-finals won in Ostend. We recognize all too well the importance of this party.”
“With more than 20,000 will be our fans again, massively loyal to post. We know that it is not obvious is because the opponent has a lot of qualities and physical strength”, had Thorup a hefty warning in store for his team. “This final preparation worked best nice. We have a good picture of their qualities. We saw them three times at work in the competition and there were also those training duels. Of course, they already have a few of the matches played finished but we know what we need to do.”
And Thorup certainly has his homework finished on time and kept in addition to take, even with penalty, as follows: “We practiced on penalty kicks, of course! A final can there, now, once, definitely. That we noticed also already during the semi-finals so we have also re-trained, that seems logic to me.”
Meanwhile, rest there AA Gent have but little choice. The Buffalo drive until now due to circumstances, a downright lousy track in Play-off 1 and bekerwinst seems to be the only way for a European ticket: “We are disappointed with the results that we are in Play-off 1 have achieved. We looked so forward to it and after those four victories, I heard some even talk about the title,” says Thorup, who here also an extra incentive for his game group sweet:
“This is a different league and a unique opportunity for us and the club to prove that we are really at the top of the Belgian football hear, and that comes with European football. I have as a player and coach already has a few finals finished. Believe me, it is wonderful if you realize that there are thousands of fans, specially for you to travel to Brussels to the semi-finals to attend. “
No cup final for Chakvetadze, surgery seems inevitable
Drama for Giorgi Chakvetadze. The 19-year-old Georgian talent is out for the cup final of tomorrow afternoon against KV Mechelen: “We tried to Giorgi during the winter training to prepare and also the last duels we tried him some minutes to give”, gave Jess Thorup this afternoon additional background on the bad news for the Gent fans. “So he came in action in Anderlecht where he is, unfortunately, a small injury suffered and it is more serious than hoped. He will not be tomorrow.” Chakvetadze has troubles some months ago with a kruisbandletsel but after an intensive treatment appears to be surgery and months of rehabilitation is slowly becoming inevitable.
Asare, however, fit
AA Gent can once again rely on captain Nana Asare last weekend still went out with a scheenbeenblessure: “I am fit”, bande the Ghanaian immediately all doubts as to his employability. “It also means a lot for me to get this final work against Mechelen. I was here once before for a final contest but now I want to out as the winner. We should also try to enjoy the atmosphere,” says Asare, who in 2009 with Malinwa the worst of it was mining against Racing Genk.
It promises to be a fascinating final with two supportersclans for a unique atmosphere will make on the Heizelvlakte: “The two teams have a different style of play”, watching Ghent-coach Thorup moment forward. “Who are strategy the best know to perform has a good chance to win. If we can focus on what we can and when we manage to their strengths to neutralize it, it looks good.There will be a large intensity can be felt, also around the field. That external conditions, we have also to observe.”
21 players last training
21 players – eighteen players and three goalkeepers – worked in the afternoon, under the spring sun a last training in the King baudouin stadium.
When the Inhabitants lacked in addition to the injured Georgi Chakvetadze also the suspended Roman Yaremchuk. The front should therefore be inserted and that creates opportunities for, among others, Jean-Luc Dompé and Giorgi Kvilitaia. Also Jonathan, David and Alexander Sörloth be at the kick-off is expected.
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