AL-DAKHIL ON SPECIAL FIRST GOAL FEELING

Belgian reflects on Manchester City test & his goal

The Clarets fell to defeat against Manchester City at the Etihad on Wednesday, however a positive to take from the game was Ameen Al-Dakhil who in added time netted his first goal for the Club.

The Belgian’s goal was the first Clarets goal against Manchester City in eight games and since 2019.

On getting his name on the scoresheet – at the home of last season’s Premier League Champions, Al-Dakhil said: “Yes, I’m happy, it’s always a special feeling when you score your first goal and especially in a stadium like this, against a big team.

“It was a hard game for us, but I think all the details that we have to fix, we’re going to focus on that and be better next week hopefully.

“For me it’s just, I’m very happy that I scored my goal but it’s also disappointing that we didn’t take any points. Because I think we did quite well, but it was just always small details, like in the free kick, we had so much time to prepare ourselves and everything, but we just got swallowed in with a simple pass, so it’s unfortunate but next time we need to be better.”

The defender believes that the team showing improvement in these small details will reap rewards.

“I think it’s just that you lose so many balls really easy, especially in the second half, we had so many transitions but it’s just like the small, last pass that we didn’t play it right or it just goes out. So, just the small details and I think next time it’s going to be better. We have to focus on that and keep going.”

The Clarets tough fixtures continue to come thick and fast, with Liverpool and Arsenal on the horizon. Did the squad learn anything from the performance at the Etihad that he will be taking into these tough two fixtures in particular?

“I think every game has a different thing, like here’s it’s just the small details that you get when you play against the biggest clubs. Every single game is really hard, I don’t think there’s an easy game in the Premier League. We have to be focussed and 100% every game and just go and win the game.”