Van Persie Opts for Targhalline Over Valente in Feyenoord Lineup, Cites Schedule adn player Fitness
ROTTERDAM, Netherlands – Feyenoord manager Robin van persie has explained his decision to start Oussama Targhalline in place of Luciano Valente for Wednesday evening’s match against Fortuna Sittard, emphasizing a focus on player workload and training performance. The change is one of four to the Feyenoord starting eleven, with Bart Nieuwkoop and Jaden Slory also entering the lineup alongside Targhalline, replacing Givairo Read, Gijs Smal, and Anis Hadj Moussa respectively.
van Persie clarified that Givairo Read is still building match fitness following a recent return. “Read is still coming back,” he stated.”He is match fit, but not yet fit enough to play ninety minutes. Bart is not in principle, so that’s why we exchanged that.”
Regarding Valente,Van Persie acknowledged the player’s positive contribution,particularly in the first half against Heerenveen,but stressed the importance of considering the broader schedule and the form of other players. ”I think valente is doing well. He played very well against Heerenveen in the first half. in the second half it became a bit flatter, but he was not the only one,” Van Persie said. “We have a lot of matches and I also take into account how other players, for example Oussama, train and play.”
The manager highlighted Targhalline’s performance during his previous appearances and emphasized that the decision wasn’t solely about resting Valente. “I think that Oussama, the times he played, did well. So it is indeed not necessarily a matter of getting that Valente rest. It is indeed looking at the schedule and how players train and play.Oussama has now had to be patient and this is his chance. He has earned it himself.”
Van Persie also addressed the depth of his midfield options, stating, ”I feel that a problem is being talked to us. Many people say: You have so many midfielders. Yes, I have six to seven very good players who can play there and I am very happy with that, so I don’t see that at all as a problem. In contrast, even.”
Additionally,Van Persie explained Jordan bos’s absence from the starting lineup,noting the player had a 24.5-hour flight last weekend and had only trained since then. He also indicated that rotations between Gijs Smal and Jordan Bos are expected throughout the season. He also mentioned Aymen Sliti Diarara and Gaousssou Diarra as players who can feature on the right wing, capable of playing on the left as well.
