N.E.C. Nijmegen can still become third if they win next week against Go Ahead. But fourth is also fantastic, says club top scorer Bryan Linssen. The team has only earned three points in the last four games, but European football is still a possibility. Next week, NEC will play at home against Go Ahead. If they win, they will be sure of fourth place and participation in the Europa League qualifying round. And it can get even better if FC Twente loses points against PSV. Then NEC will be third and the Nijmegeners will qualify for the Champions League qualifying round. 'We're going for the highest now, and that's third place,' says club top scorer Bryan Linssen. 'If we finish fourth, we'll still have had a fantastic season.' And that despite the defeat in Groningen. NEC was not itself for a long time to the annoyance of striker Sami Ouaissa. 'The first half was not in it at all. The second half was a bit better. But it seemed like no one had any interest in the game. Like we weren't awake. And then it becomes a long, long day.' If NEC wins next week, European football will be a fact again. 'Yes, yes, yes. If we also put this on the mat next week, nothing will happen. The standings look good, but next week it's all or nothing.' Linssen also saw that NEC had it tough. 'It's natural to be disappointed that we didn't show our best. Next week, we really have to be one hundred percent to still get European football. First, we have to win ourselves and then see what happens on the other fields.' Basar Önal, who made his comeback as a substitute after a injury, was disappointed with the defeat. 'The last few weeks, the results were quite favorable, but we didn't capitalize on them. We no longer have control over the Champions League. Everyone is disappointed, but there are still chances. That it's a missed chance is clear.' 'Looking back is pointless. We have to start with full energy and conviction next week and then we'll have the Europa League for sure. This is disappointing, but we have to move on.' Bryan Linssen knows that anything can happen. 'There are already crazy things happening this whole season. We know that the competitors have a tough schedule. And therefore, we have to look at ourselves.' 'But against Go Ahead, it won't be easy. They can play freely. At our place, the pressure is on. But we still have a lot to play for.' Before the season, NEC was not expected to be a team for third or fourth place. 'For me personally, that was no surprise,' says the veteran. 'I had a lot of confidence in this group and in our playing style from the start. Only we made it a bit easier for ourselves in certain games and we didn't manage that.'