A resigned and modest applause resounded in De Kuip on Thursday afternoon, after Feyenoord was painfully outplayed by Bayer Leverkusen (0-4).
Just like after Juventus-PSV (3-1), Feyenoord’s start to the European season has given us plenty to think about. About the level of the Premier League, the difference in strength with the best foreign clubs and, above all, what should happen with Feyenoord coach Brian Priske.
The Dane, who has the thankless task of succeeding Arne Slot at De Kuip, is having a frankly disappointing start in the south of Rotterdam. After three draws in the competition, two of them against PhD students, the club has already dropped six points more than leaders PSV, and Feyenoord also experienced a false start in the European context.
What Priske can be criticised for in his first few months is that he abandoned his usual way of playing from the start. This happened after the growing criticism of his preached 3-4-3 system. A bad sign for someone who should stick to his vision and be above all opinions.
On the other hand, the game against Bayer Leverkusen showed that a more flexible and defensive style of play cannot hurt in some cases. Although that requires ruthless defending, something that PSV coach Peter Bosz also missed with his team in the Champions League earlier this week.
Magnifying glass
Ever since the winds began to blow at Feyenoord after winning the Johan Cruijff Shield, everything has been under scrutiny for Priske. A group discussion immediately after a match, a regular practice for the Danish coach, was suddenly ridiculed, as was an Instagram post in which he wrote that God sees everything.
However, pointing the finger at Priske is not entirely justified. At managerial level, people may also be scratching their heads after a frankly lacklustre transfer window. Feyenoord sold Mats Wieffer and Lutsharel Geertruida last summer for 32 and 20 million euros respectively, but failed to secure suitable replacements. For example, Antoni Milambo and Jordan Lotomba were featured against Bayer Leverkusen; players with hardly any experience at the top European level.
This cannot happen with impunity.
Just as PSV experienced earlier this week, Feyenoord also found that different laws apply on Europe’s top stage to those in the Premier League. Midfielder Ramiz Zerrouki simply handed the ball over after five minutes, after which Florian Wirtz opened the scoring with a modest slider.
In the next phase, Feyenoord’s shortcomings became more apparent. As much as Het Legioen tried to push the team forward, Feyenoord operated too slowly and too statically with the ball, with the players still searching for the right patterns and consistency.
It’s no disgrace, but it is a stark contrast to the attacking machine that Feyenoord were last season, when the Rotterdam side put on shows against Celtic, Lazio and Atletico Madrid in the Champions League group stages.
Pleasing to the eye
Feyenoord were unlucky to come up against a well-played team in their European opener. Bayer Leverkusen, unbeaten German champions last season, did not leave much to Feyenoord and went 4-0 down before the break, thanks to Alejandro Grimaldo, Wirtz again and defender Edmond Tapsabo. Especially the German international Wirtz, who was making his Champions League debut, was a delight to behold for over seventy minutes. In De Kuip there was still something to enjoy – at least for the enthusiastic neutral.
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Once again, Feyenoord suffered unnecessary damage at the start of the season, this time away to Sparta (1-1).
