Renewed Feyenoord takes shape – but is it enough for ‘the hell’ of Fenerbahçe?

Feyenoord players Quinten Timber and Calvin Stengs finish a pass exercise, half an hour before the kick-off against NAC. The two – in recent years undisputed basic players, if not injured – move on Saturday evening in a place where they can rarely be found: between the reserves.

At the basic eleven, a little further, two relatively new faces are paramount. Sem Steijn and Anis Hadj Moussa put on the sprints in the warm-up. Steijn (23), only a month at the club, has been the captain since this week. Hadj Moussa, also 23 and just a year at Feyenoord, is the second captain. They take the lead against NAC in the first league match of the season.

It illustrates the rapidly changing hierarchy at Feyenoord – partly directed by coach Robin van Persie. Where in his first period-at the end of February he started as a successor to the fired Brian Priske-he did not change much, he explicitly chooses his own line as a Feyenoord trainer at the start of his first full season.

Bouquet

Timber receives a bouquet from director Dennis in Kloese for the game, because he played a hundred games for Feyenoord. After which Timber has to walk to the reserve bench – he gets peace in the run -up to the important confrontation in the preliminary round of the Champions League against Fenerbahçe Tuesday.

That the position of Timber (24) – although often injured, the best midfielder in Feyenoord – has changed is unmistakable. Van Persie took him off the captain’s band this week and gave it to Steijn. The fact that Timber did not want to extend expiring contract in 2026 (for the time being) played a role, said Van Persie.

It is an interesting choice, also given the large renovation where Feyenoord is in the middle of – a leader who already knows his way in the dressing room can give hold. “Then you pass him very much,” said national coach Ronald Koeman at TV program The Oranjezomer – Timber is no longer a second or third leader. From a captain expects from Persie ‘a bit commitment towards the club, “he said on Wednesday.

Zoom in

He sorts out for the construction of the ‘new’ Feyenoord. Slowly the last players from the years of success disappear under Arne Slot (2021-2024) from the selection. Key players David Hancko and Igor Paixão were sold for substantial amounts this summer. The influence of the more experienced player who is still there, apparently decreases. Attacker Stengs, one of the most important players in 2023-2024 and again fit after a year with many injuries, played the first two official duels less than a minute.

Wissels thinks Van Persie is a “annoying word,” he says on Saturday. He prefers to speak of ‘game schangers” – Players who make the difference in their raid. Stengs now has to focus on. Van Persie wanted to give him playing minutes against NAC, that was not due to other switches.” But Calvin is training well. ”

False

The sometimes uncomfortable but eager -looking Feyenoord, has without a doubt potential. Although it is still whimsical. The 22-year-old left winger Gaoussou Diarra from Mali first passes subtle Cherrion Valerius, but then just runs against Enes Mahmutovic. To then give a corner much too high and too wide.

Offensive midfielder Luciano Valente, bought for about seven million from FC Groningen, regularly gives fine stab passes, but also misses a huge opportunity.

Central in the back of the back of Tsuyoshi Watanabe and Anel Ahmedhodzic defend as if they have been playing together for years, while they only know each other for five days. “Admirable,” says Van Persie.

This radically renewed Feyenoord-eight purchases-takes shape with great victories on NAC (2-0) and Wednesday at Fenerbahçe (2-1). But whether it is enough for ‘the hell’ of Istanbul, as Fenerbahçe coach José Mourinho calls the return in the Champions League preliminary round is the question.

Against NAC, the attack game in phases is still rough, wing players are stuck on the not very stiff defense. Attack patterns are still difficult to discover, some constant are the long balls that are played from backwards. Although there are nice chopping balls and flowing passing movements in the final phase, led by Pingelaar Hadj Moussa.

Zoom in

Steijn is one of the most constant, most adults. Continuously in motion as an attacking midfielder, almost always in the right place in the sixteen if there seems to be just a chance. He shows fellow players the way where they have to walk when they have to put pressure on collective. And combines smoothly a few times with Valente and Spits Ayase Ueda.

After two minutes, Steijn is already behind the ball, a free kick about twenty of the goal. With him there is now that expectation that something special can happen, as it was almost hit against Fenerbahçe on Wednesday. He practices extra daily, after the regular training. Now he shoots over the wall with perfect curve, in the short corner: 1-0. Less beautiful is the 2-0, when the ball suddenly ends up in front of Ueda-the striker is simply coming in.

Excaptain Timber is still falling in, but does that unhappy. Where he was important against Fenerbahçe with his goal on Wednesday, a long shot is now flying high. For a moment he pulls his shirt over his head frustrated. Steijn seems to speak to him some uplifting words from a distance.

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