Feyenoord’s Challenges Ahead of Go Ahead Eagles Match

Following the defeat against VfB Stuttgart in the Europa League on Thursday, Robin van Persie faces the challenge of reevaluating his team’s strategy. Despite a well-executed game against the Germans, even with an improvised lineup due to numerous absences, the loss has left the coach with pressing concerns. What lineup will Van Persie present on Sunday against Go Ahead Eagles?

The loss was particularly bitter for Feyenoord, who faced Stuttgart, currently ranked fourth in the Bundesliga. The Rotterdammers played commendably with a makeshift team but ultimately succumbed to two late goals, resulting in a 2-0 defeat. There were, however, many positives to take away from the match. Stuttgart’s technical director, Fabian Wohlgemuth, remarked, “Feyenoord was the best team we’ve encountered in our stadium since Bayern Munich in the Supercup.” Can Van Persie build on this foundation despite ongoing personnel issues?

With Sem Steijn, Oussama Targhalline, In-beom Hwang, and Jakub Moder all unavailable, Feyenoord’s midfield options are severely limited. In the match against Stuttgart, Van Persie opted for a midfield consisting of Quinten Timber and Luciano Valente, while Cyle Larin played as a makeshift midfielder in place of Steijn. Remarkably, this arrangement functioned smoothly, with Larin serving as a classic target man, albeit not from the forward position.

Despite Ayase Ueda’s inability to score on Thursday—although he came alarmingly close with a header that ricocheted just two meters wide—there is optimism for the upcoming match. If Ueda had found the net, the outcome could have been notably different. Nevertheless, he will have another opportunity to add to his tally as the Eredivisie’s top scorer, this time starting from the striker position.

Possible lineup for Feyenoord against Go Ahead Eagles:
Wellenreuther; Read, Ahmedhodzic, Watanabe, Smal; Timber, Valente, Larin; Hadj Moussa, Ueda, Sauer.