After the game, Antwerp coach Brian Priske was not kind to his team and he pointed the finger at his players with the most experience.
“I expect more from everyone, but also from experienced players such as Radja Nainggolan and Birger Verstraete. They have to show their qualities and experience and try to take the rest of the team with them,” concluded Brian Priske during the press conference.
They also shared that opinion in the Extra Time studio. “Radja and Birger certainly didn’t give up in midfield,” says Patrick Goots.
Peter Vandenbempt: “Nainggolan is not the only problem, but he has been made and must be the best player every week. He may have a game in between, like against Club Brugge, but in most games he has to be the determining player.”
Nainggolan clearly did not take the upper hand against Club Brugge. “He’s a big disappointment at the moment.”
Peter Vandenbempt also briefly commented on Brian Priske’s reaction after the match in which he talked about Nainggolan and Verstraete.
“I think you should be stricter for one than for the other,” it sounds. “Verstraete is a very valuable player who has worked his way up to an important pawn. Radja Nainggolan has made it in Serie A. He is a player with international allure.”
Not Verstraete and Nainggolan, but Manuel Benson shines at Antwerp. Yesterday he was not there due to an injury, but the attacker is feeling good at Antwerp with 5 goals and 5 assists.
Gert Verheyen: “Benson is playing an incredibly good season and I think he is a good player. But I don’t think he should be the best player in Antwerp. That should be a role for other men who have to take the lead.
“If Benson is the best player at Antwerp for a number of weeks in a row, then something goes wrong.”
