Feyenoord goalkeeper Justin Bijlow is disappointed that AS Roma has been able to strike in the Conference League final in the expected way. Roma scored the best opportunity in the first half at the first half, in which Feyenoord made a poor impression.
“We were able to play the ball around in the first half, open it up and put it down, but then they come into their own,” Bijlow said at the press conference afterwards. “We didn’t give as much pressure in the first half as in the second half. They could always switch sides and open, then they are dangerous with the people walking.”
From such an outbreak, Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma struck mercilessly after more than half an hour of play. Gernot Trauner misjudged a high pass from Gianluca Mancini, after which Nicolò Zaniolo nicely worked the ball behind Bijlow.
Feyenoord dominated after the break and were close to equalizing twice, but Trauner and Tyrell Malacia both hit the post. “We were going to put more pressure in the second half,” Bijlow said. “Then we had more chances and more possession.”
“They didn’t come to play football and peered the balls forward. It’s a shame we didn’t start like that. Then we would have had more chances to win the game. You know that when Roma score, they paralyze.”
‘Didn’t expect to play’
With the lost final, a great European season came to a bitter end for Feyenoord. The club was in a European final for the first time in twenty years. “We’ve had a fantastic campaign this season,” said Bijlow. “We have put Rotterdam and Feyenoord on the map.”
For a long time it was the question for Bijlow whether he would be able to keep the final at all. The goalkeeper had to undergo surgery on his foot in March and has not played since. It was only in recent days that it became clear that he was fit enough to play.
“I didn’t expect to play two months ago,” said Bijlow. “I did everything I could to get to this match and I succeeded. I thoroughly enjoyed the game, but you don’t have much at the end if you lose.”
“I would actually only join the group after a month. After my surgery I was already able to do quite a few things. Then I got the feeling: if we make it to the final, I can make it. I pushed myself. But it’s not going to work. for me, but for the club. We are without the cup and that hurts, I can tell you.”