De Kuip’s magic has disappeared, but all’s well that ends well for FC Groningen in Den Bosch

From De Kuip to De Vliert. It was quite a transition for FC Groningen on Monday evening. The memory of the compelling cup battle against Feyenoord had to be quickly exchanged for the daily reality against FC Den Bosch, the bottom of the first division.

Dick Lukkien reminded his men several times on the way to Brabant that the stakes of the competition match were perhaps even greater than those of last Thursday’s semi-final. On the way to direct promotion to the Premier League, the northerners were able to make a big difference thanks to the loss of points to their biggest competitors Willem II and Roda JC. “We still have twelve finals to go,” said the Veendammer coach.

Paralyzing effect

Of course the players’ intentions were good in advance, but there is a big difference between saying something and doing something. Apparently the great distinction in the posters had a mentally paralyzing effect on the northerners. The FC Groningen that made its appearance in Den Bosch did not look anything like the team that challenged the great Feyenoord in De Kuip.

The difference was not so much in the names, the only change was Laros Duarte who initially remained on the bench due to minor aches and pains, but the game was much less than in Rotterdam. FC Groningen’s pace was a few gears lower, it was more static, there was hardly any pressure on the ball, the number of carelessness increased rapidly and as a result of all this, opportunities were not forthcoming for a long time.

Limited urge to act

If any team could claim a lead in the first half, it was the people of Den Bosch. While the Groningen side’s urge to act in the first half was limited to a single shot from Leandro Bacuna, which disappeared just wide of the post, the home club faced a number of dangerous moments from corners. Moreover, FC Groningen was fortunate that VAR is not used in the first division. For example, Joey Pelupessy appeared to make hands in his own penalty area, but referee Bas Nijhuis waved away the Brabant protests.

It took a backlog to ignite the holy fire at FC Groningen. Ten minutes after the break, FC Den Bosch first took the deserved lead thanks to a goal by striker Kacper Kostorz. When the home team’s goalkeeper, Kritsztian Hegyi, made a horrible mistake moments later, everything changed. The goalkeeper simply shot the ball into substitute Rui Mendes, who then saw the 1-1 end up against the ropes. It was the moment when the tables were completely turned on the field.

Lukkien smoked a fuse

The people of Den Bosch were completely devastated by the setback. Lukkien smelled the fuse and guided his tall defender Marvin Peersman forward to force the victory. That plan succeeded. First, at 1-2, Peersman served Romano Postema from the back line, who was ready to head in in front of the goal. Barely five minutes later the 1-3 was already on the scoreboard for the suddenly reborn FC Groningen. A masterful pass from Jorg Schreuders led to the decisive goal, which was again scored by Rui Mendes, who was taken over from FC Emmen during the winter break. Romano Postema even made it 1-4 in injury time. Thus, an evening that certainly did not start well for FC Groningen still had a positive ending.

Afterwards, Lukkien thanked his substitutes Laros Duarte and Rui Mendes for turning the match around and looked for the cause of the misery of the first hour, among other things, with the opponent, who, according to the Groningen trainer, is too low for what the people of Den Bosch have to offer. “FC Den Bosch put more energy into the first part of the match than we did and I am not used to that,” Lukkien reflected. “We had difficulty playing football and were woken up by the goal against us, although I cannot separate the resurrection from the substitutes of Duarte and Mendes. They really brought cadence, rhythm and depth to the match.”

Starting place for Mendes?

Whether Mendes is now ready for a starting place at FC Groningen? It appears so. “He came in behind and got to work well,” Lukkien agrees. “He has also become better and firmer defensively. It’s good that competition is increasing. We know what we have in him. He is knocking on the door and he should continue to do so.”