© Isosport
STVV kicks off play-off 2 on Easter with a home match against Westerlo. Coach Thorsten Fink approaches this with a healthy dose of ambition: “We start with our strongest possible line-up, because we want to win every match,” the German said at his press conference.
The Canaries start the Conference League play-offs in third place, four points behind leader AA Gent. “We have achieved our goal for this season, but now we have other games,” Fink said. “We also want to finish as high as possible in this competition. I want to win every match, even a practice match. That’s why I’m not going to change my entire team. Although some guys will get their chance during these play-offs. For example, we will not be able to count on Fujita and Yamamoto in midfield for four weeks (due to the Asia Cup U23, ed.).”
Fink therefore does not intend to change much for the opener against Westerlo. “We start with our strongest possible line-up and play as we have done all season. That means trying to win with good football. Westerlo has a good team that is not having a good season. I expect a different match than a few weeks ago at our anniversary match. We are strong in-house and want to continue our series. We have been undefeated at Stayen for ten matches in a row, we can be proud of that.”
Rein van Helden. — © Dick Demey
Van Helden: “We have nothing to lose”
Rein Van Helden also made it clear that STVV is starting these play-offs with ambition: “We are an eager group and we are ambitious,” said the defender. “We have nothing to lose, so why not go for the group win and then that European ticket? We have already proven that these opponents suit us, so we can be ambitious.”
Fink can count on an almost completely fit core. In addition to the long-term injured Okazaki, only top scorer Aboubakary Koïta is struggling with a muscle problem, he is highly insecure. “Abou couldn’t sprint in training so we’re not going to take any risks with him,” concluded Fink.