Win means everything, says Laudrup

3rd October


Michael Laudrup says that he was pleased his side were able to beat St. Gallen without being on top of their game.


Swansea made it six points out of a possible six, in Group A, by grinding out a 1-0 win against their Swiss opponents at the Liberty Stadium.


Wayne Routledge got the all-important goal for the Swans, knocking home from close range after Wilfried Bony's initial effort wriggled under the glove of Daniel Lopar.


The visitors were not without their fair share of chances though, especially in the first-half, where Goran Karanovic had a penalty saved by Gerhard Tremmel.


Despite the positive result, the Swans failed to hit top gear throughout the ninety minutes.


Nevertheless, Laudrup said he was pleased that his side were able to win, despite not playing well.




"I'm pleased with the win," said the Swans boss. "But it was probably not one of our best games.


"In Europe, it's tight. It's always difficult, and I think St. Gallen showed today that they have a good squad.


"They confirmed what we have been analysing - that they are a very hard working team; they play 90 minutes with high rhythm; and I think they did very well.


"For me, the most positive thing - other than the result - is that I don't remember the last time we won without playing well. Normally, to win, we always have to play well.


"We created the five or six chances that we always do, but without playing well.


"They probably deserved a little more, but 'deserve' and 'justice', in football, doesn't exist."


With Valencia beating Kuban Krasnodar 2-0 in Russia tonight, the Swans go top of Group A by three points, and Laudrup says his side are in a strong position, going forward.


He added: "We are in a really good position because Valencia won away, and St Gallen won their first game at home. So now, after two games, we have six, with two teams on three who have to play each other.


"If we can win the next game against Kuban, we will be in a really, really good position.


"From my experience in the group stage, you have to win your home games.


"You need maybe ten points, so if we win the next game, we will need one point from three games, but if we can be top of the group, even better."




Meanwhile, St. Gallen manager Jeff Saibene says was disappointed with the result, claiming he felt his side deserved something out of the game.


"I think we deserved a point," said Saibene via a translator. "We had some clear chances, and we kept Swansea at bay during the first-half, so it is a very bitter defeat."