Gino Van Kessel: Hero of the Night

PRAGUE/EDEN ARENA - It was his very first game in Slavia and he immediately became the hero for many fans. The Netherlands-born striker Gino van Kessel assisted Milan Škoda for the first goal and scored the other one himself thus sending Slavia to the 3rd qualifying round vs. Portugese Rio Ave.
Gino, what do you think about your first game in Slavia?
“I think as a team we played a great match. Personally I didn’t play good, I didn’t had many good one against one, not many good crosses but I came here to be import for the team and I am happy with the goal and assist. Next week I really want to show more quality.”

You have got a goal and an assist anyway. Is it a good start for you?
“It’s a good start. It’s not a great start but as I said I made a goal and made an assist. We had to score two goals we win 2:0 and I was important for the team, it’s a good start.

In the first leg, the result was not very good for Slavia. How was the atmosphere before the game?
“I watched that match on the internet when I just signed it. I saw Slavia had many chances over there. Tallin didn’t play so good, I know it was a big chance to win 2:0 maybe 3, 4, 5:0. If I was ready I scored already a goal in the first half but I didn’t. But we won 2:0 and we got to the next round.”

You scored a fast goal but at the beginning of the second half was it a matter of patience. It looked like you were little bit nervous.
“No, I think nobody was nervous because we know we had much more quality than the opponent. We knew we should score in the second half. I am happy that I am the one who did it. Otherwise for sure there was somebody else who would have score.”

How did you enjoy the atmosphere on the stadium?
“It’s great, almost fifteen thousand people. At the end they were screaming my name. In the end the celebration with fans is fantastic.”

Could you say something about your substitution?
“I am not injured, I just felt little bit crumpy my calf, because I get a kick in the first half. I didn’t play good last night, I didn’t have the best bed I could wish. I am happy to play seventy minutes and for the goals and the assist.”

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