Feyenoord ready for new test: ‘Let’s not leaf through the old book too much’ Dutch football

By Mikos Gouka

Arne Slot cannot appeal to Lutsharel Geertruida in Rome during the first group match in group F of the Europa League, but the Feyenoord trainer must also absorb that absence in the coming weeks. The Jong Oranje player has Pfeiffer’s disease and will not be there for the time being. Slot is therefore happy that Marcus Pedersen, who had to play out with knee problems against Go Ahead Eagles on Saturday evening, has traveled to Rome.

Because Feyenoord wants to strike immediately in the first strength test of the Europa League. According to Slot, the battle with Lazio will be the first game for Feyenoord this season against a team that will enter the game to win where Vitesse, Heerenveen, RKC, Emmen and Go Ahead Eagles faced the Rotterdam team in Slot’s eyes, but especially not. to lose.

,,That is different and so we will see which team succeeds in being dominant: Lazio or Feyenoord”, says Slot. The trainer is charmed by Lazio that, although this season started poorly, but always wants to move forward. Which is easier: preparing Feyenoord for AS Roma or for Lazio? Slot could not answer, as he also avoided the question that if he had lived in Rome, which club would have bought a season ticket. He liked the intense experience of the AS Roma supporters, the game of Lazio as well.

With that intense experience of the Lazio supporters, it seems to be not too bad in Stadio Olimpico. About fifteen thousand supporters from Rome come to the game. Slot is curious about the possibilities of his team. ,,We remain ambitious and of course aim for qualification in this group. That does not alter the fact that I certainly do not underestimate the other two teams (Midtylland and Sturm Graz). Last season we played against Maccabi Haifa. They now play Champions League,” says Slot with a wink to the critics who, after the 0-0 in Israel last season, more or less stated that the formation with Dutchman Tjaronn Chery would have been of FC Dordrecht level.

Slot thinks that the physical aspect will not yet play a major role in Rome. After the win in Deventer, his players had enough rest to recharge for the battle in Rome. ,,That only comes into play on Sunday when the time towards Sparta is very short”, says Slot.

The Feyenoord trainer did not want to talk about Feyenoord’s first real test this season. ,,It is a test, but a different test”, says Slot ,,These other matches were also tests. But the premise of this adversary is different. It’s nice that we finished against AS Roma and now face Lazio. The previous tournament was a good book, now we are writing a new book. Then you shouldn’t flip through the old book too much.”

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