Rik De Mil wants AA Gent to go all‑out from minute one vs Hibernian

At the Oostakker training complex, AA Gent coach Rik De Mil warned his side must start aggressively against Scottish Hibernian in the final preliminary round of the Conference League, with the Buffaloes hosting the first leg on Thursday evening in the city.

Veel persbelangstelling verzamelde zich op het oefencomplex in Oostakker voor AA Gent’s pre‑match briefing. Vier Schotse journalisten woonden de persconferentie bij, underscoring the international focus. Jordi De KoninckSportjournalist bij HLN19 stelde de vragen die de coach nodig had om zijn plannen te verduidelijken. We konden duidelijk voelen dat dit duel meer gewicht draagt dan eerdere rondes.

Press conference highlights stakes

Coach Rik De Mil stressed, “We beseffen allemaal hoe belangrijk dit is,” highlighting the club’s ambition to reach the League Phase. He reminded that the season’s goal has always been to advance beyond the group stage, and now the team is in the final segment of the competition. The two‑leg tie demands an excellent performance from Gent.

According to De Mil, Hibernian is “the best opponent” Gent has encountered this season. He noted their recent victory away at Rangers as a sign of their quality. De Mil described the Scottish side as a blend of LNZ Cherkasy and Göteborg, compact, disciplined and capable of attractive football, combining Göteborg’s direct play with the physicality of LNZ Cherkasy.

De Mil’s game plan and squad readiness

Unlike previous rounds, AA Gent will host the first leg, a factor that changes the usual approach. De Mil explained, “Now it is the opposite and we must be bold from minute one,” rejecting a cautious start. He believes that starting strong will set the tone for the return leg in Scotland.

Training at Oostakker continued with the full squad present, except for Matisse Samoise, sidelined for several months, and Hyllarion Goore, out for a few weeks. The medical staff are monitoring the injured players closely to ensure they return soon, while the coach emphasized that the available players are prepared for the Thursday evening European clash.

Gent aims to force a strong opening position in the tie, hoping to carry momentum into the return leg. Securing a solid lead would allow Gent to control the second match tactically and bring the club closer to its target of reaching the League Phase.

Success against the Buffaloes would not only boost Gent’s European credentials but also set a tone for the remainder of their domestic campaign. The match therefore stands as a pivotal moment in the club’s season.