De Fauw shellshocked by Zulte elimination

SV Zulte Waregem captain Davy de Fauw and his team-mates were left in stunned silence after two late FC Rubin Kazan goals sent them crashing out of the UEFA Europa League at the group stage's final hurdle. Meanwhile Rubin Kazan forward José Rondón is expecting to "have to face difficult sides" in the round of 32, but will happily play anyone.

Davy de Fauw, Zulte Waregem captain 
We were very close to getting into the next round. We conceded a penalty and it is hard to lose that way. The atmosphere [in the changing room after the match] was very quiet. We had won our last two games in the competition, we worked very hard and we were so close to it. Genk got through and we hoped that we could do it today, but now there is just disappointment. In two or three weeks we are going to remember the good things but now we are just disappointed. We have already learned a lot of lessons [from the Group D matches] and maybe next year we can use them in our next European campaign.

Sammy Bossut, Zulte Waregem goalkeeper 
I thought that Rubin Kazan might have come to Bruges expecting to play out a 0-0 draw, and just because of our mistakes they scored. For a goalkeeper it is not a good feeling to concede a goal like that, and I am disappointed. Now we have to take the experience of this campaign, be patient in our game and score goals at the right moment. I hope that we will get a ticket for next year's Europa League.

José Rondón, Rubin Kazan
We are very happy, this is what we wanted. They had to draw or win the game, but we know that the image we portray in the Europa League is important. It was our final game and we were looking forward to it, and wanted to win it. This competition means something for Kazan but also for the whole country as we are representing the Russian league. Tonight we did well and it leaves a nice taste in our mouths. We know that we will have to face difficult sides after the winter break, but let it be whoever it happens to be.