Feyenoord’s Defense Is Worse Under Van Bronckhorst Than Van Persie
Defensive frailties under Feyenoord head coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst have dropped the team’s win percentage to 50 percent after sixteen matches, according to data published by FR12.nl.
Feyenoord sits in a difficult stretch following mixed results in the Eredivisie and the Champions League, leaving the manager on a points-per-match average of 1.75 across all competitions, FootballTransfers.com reported on November 10, 2026. That current return sits below the 1.99 points per match Van Bronckhorst averaged across 176 games during his initial stint in De Kuip between May 2015 and June 2019.
Statistical comparisons show that while the current squad creates chances at a similar rate to last season under Robin van Persie, the defensive output has deteriorated significantly. Van Bronckhorst’s side concedes an average of 13.6 shots and 1.8 goals per match, compared to 8.8 shots and 1.3 goals conceded during the same period under Van Persie.
| Metric (First 16 Matches) | Giovanni van Bronckhorst | Robin van Persie |
|---|---|---|
| Shots For | 16.8 | 17.4 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 2.1 | 2.0 |
| Goals Scored | 2.5 | 2.3 |
| Shots Against | 13.6 | 8.8 |
| Expected Goals Against (xGA) | 1.2 | 0.8 |
| Goals Conceded | 1.8 | 1.3 |
| Duels Won Percentage | 52% | 53% |
| Wins | 8 | 11 |
| Draws | 4 | 1 |
| Losses | 4 | 4 |
| Points Per Match | 1.8 | 2.1 |
Van Bronckhorst acknowledged that the team’s fluency has dipped in recent weeks.
“Het gaat niet meer zo vanzelf als hoe het ging.”
said Van Bronckhorst in an interview with the Algemeen Dagblad, as cited by FR12.nl.
The manager added that opponents have adjusted their tactical approach against Feyenoord. Opponents are closing down space around Gjivai Zechiël and Luciano Valente while paying closer attention to the individual qualities of Anis Hadj Moussa.
“Tegenstanders analyseren Feyenoord, je moet dan hetzelfde blijven leveren tegen veel meer weerstand. Jonge spelers als Zechiël en Valente moeten die ontwikkeling doormaken.”
Defensive lapses also plagued Feyenoord in a recent match against Heerenveen, where the team conceded five goals. Van Bronckhorst expressed frustration with game management during key moments of the contest.
“Dat is een nederlaag waar ik veel moeite mee heb. De manier waarop, dat blijft wel hangen. Kort voor rust moet je aanvoelen: deze voorsprong moeten we mee de rust in nemen. We moeten de noodzaak voelen en herkennen dat we op zulke momenten beter moeten verdedigen. Daar besteden we nu vooral veel aandacht aan in de analyses.”
With the winter break approaching, Feyenoord faces seven official fixtures. Data from FootballTransfers.com estimates the club’s squad value at 255.9 million euros with an average player skill rating of 62.7, positioning Feyenoord on paper as the stronger side in five of those upcoming seven matches against opponents averaging a 59.3 skill rating.
Disclaimer: The insights provided in this article are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or sports betting recommendations.