Vitesse coach Thomas Letsch released his frustrations after the 1-2 defeat in the Conference League against Stade Rennes on Thursday evening. His team went to rest with a 1-0 lead, but left the field after ninety minutes as the loser. The coach of the Arnhem team is particularly disappointed with the conduct of the arbitration regarding the equalizer after the break. Despite the loss, Letsch emphasizes in conversation with ESPN He is especially proud of his team.
Vitesse made it difficult for Stade Rennes in GelreDome and took the lead after half an hour through Maximilian Wittek. After the break, the Ligue 1 club increased the pressure and equalized in the 54th minute. Serhou Guirassy scored from eleven yards, but before referee Kevin Clancy pointed to the spot, according to Letsch, he should have whistled for a foul on the halfway line on Riechedly Bazoer, who was injured in the process. “This is very frustrating. We played a good game and fought for 90 minutes. When I look at the situation with the goal against… It was a clear violation, the ball wasn’t even close. In the end we had to change him because of an injury,” Letsch said. “So I’m very angry and disappointed in the end.”
Wonderful sound from the bar at Maximilian Wittek’s 1-0 ????
?? ESPN
#?? #VITSTA pic.twitter.com/L2fiuj7bky— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) September 30, 2021
Twenty minutes before the end, substitute Kamaldeen Sulemana signed for the winning goal on behalf of Stade Rennes. “The second goal conceded was a mistake on our part. We had chances, but we were unable to capitalize on them. There is a mix of pride, disappointment and anger,” says the Vitesse trainer. More than fifteen minutes before the end, Rennes defender Loïc Badé ran into his second yellow card. Even with one man more, Vitesse did not succeed in forcing the equalizer in the final phase. “Everyone can see what quality Stade Rennes has in the squad. It was not possible for us to put high pressure on them. But nevertheless we were dangerous and we had our chances.”
Millions purchase Kamaldeen Sulemana hurts Vitesse…??
Meanwhile, Stade Rennais plays with 10 men, because Loïc Badé has received his second yellow card. #VITSRFC pic.twitter.com/xYapYj7qTJ
— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) September 30, 2021
“In the second half you saw that they came out of the dressing room with a different spirit. But again: the first goal against should not have counted. That’s why I’m angry,” Letsch emphasizes. “I am happy with my team’s performance. But in the end it’s about points and today we are left without points.” With three points from two matches, Vitesse is in third place in the group stage of the Conference League. Tottenham Hotspur and Stade Rennes both have four points, although the English club has a better goal difference. In two weeks, on Thursday 21 October, Vitesse will receive a visit from Tottenham.