KAA Gent boss targets good start, praises Mousa Dembele

KAA Gent manager Hein Vanhaezebrouck has urged his team to start brightly in tonight's (Thursday, February 23) UEFA Europa League, round of 32, second leg clash at Wembley.

The Belgian side carry a 1-0 lead into the contest at the sold-out national stadium, but will nevertheless be keen to grab a potentially-decisive away goal as we bid to take the game to them and turn the tie around.

Speaking to the press ahead of the match, Vanhaezebrouck said: “We want to start well and especially focus on the game and not what's going on around (us).

“We will, as usual, try to play our own football and I am confident that we can show something in these fantastic circumstances (at Wembley).”

Gent are celebrating their 100th competitive European match this evening and Vanhaezebrouck confirmed: “It will be a fantastic moment for our club and our team. I didn't think Tottenham underestimated us in the first game and they won't underestimate us either (tonight). They have said that they will go for it 100 per cent – we did that already in the first leg and we will do so again.”

Vanhaezebrouck was also asked his opinions on Mousa Dembele's influence in midfield for us, to which he replied: “Dembele is one of the key players for Tottenham. Without him, they would not stand in the place where they are now. He plays a very important role in the team.”