Football journalists Valentijn Driessen of De Telegraaf and Mikos Gouka of the AD agree: Feyenoord will not be the champion of the Netherlands next season. “Ajax is the big candidate,” says Gouka. “Feyenoord does not have enough quality,” says Driessen.
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Both journalists were in Duisburg, Germany, on Saturday to see Feyenoord beat Borussia Dortmund (3-1) and MSV Duidburg (2-1) in two one-hour games. They are both somewhat surprised by the good game of the Rotterdammers, partly because of the tight selection of trainer Dick Advocaat.
Gouka: “I thought Feyenoord played really well against Dortmund. They really didn’t just play against a second team. They easily scored the goals. There was some surprise in that.”
“The game was really nice at times”, Driessen adds. “Dortmund may have played with half the first team, but that also applied to Feyenoord.”
Tight selection
Due to a number of absentees and the non-accompanying youth players, Feyenoord was in Duisburg with a tight selection. According to Driessen and Gouka, this is definitely a downside. “Of course that does not belong to Feyenoord. Of course the cup does not mean much, but Feyenoord simply had insufficient players. Then you also take a risk with players such as Jens Toornstra and Lutsharel Geertruida who got into trouble”, says Driessen. Gouka: “This width of the selection does not suit a team that wants to play for the title.”
Has Feyenoord improved or deteriorated in terms of quality? Here too the opinions do not differ much from each other. “Feyenoord has not strengthened itself. Bryan Linssen and Mark Diemers are not making Feyenoord stronger. They have to find someone who makes the team better, although this is difficult of course”, says Driessen.
“Feyenoord has remained at the same level at most, and has only repaired”, says Gouka, also referring to acquisitions such as Mark Diemers and Bryan Linssen. They played better in Germany than during previous matches in preparation, says the AD reporter. “They really have to develop further from the training camp. Although: Linssen is firmly in the team because there is no alternative at all.”
Title opportunities
The game of Feyenoord might be good in Duisburg, Gouka and Driessen do not see Dick Advocaat’s team competing for the national title. “It is realistic that Ajax is the biggest contender,” says Gouka. “PSV will also join with their new trainer. Then PSV, Feyenoord and AZ will compete for second place behind Ajax with FC Utrecht behind.”
“I dare to predict that Feyenoord will not be champion,” says Driessen. “Quality just needs to be added and I understand that Lawyer is constantly insisting on that. Although I understand that this is difficult.”
Missed Feyenoord’s victories over Borussia Dortmund and MSV Duisburg? Look here the highlights back.
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