When the atmosphere in the stands around the meeting with Slavia Prague in the quarterfinals is discussed, the coach says that he is counting on an even better evening than at the first meeting with the Czechs this season. Even then Slot thought it was wonderful. “But a quarter-final is of a completely different order. I experienced that myself twenty years ago. I was there in this stadium, I was still a player at PEC Zwolle, but I just really enjoyed being a part of it. And yes, I was there again in the final (against Borussia Dortmund, ed.), “says Slot with a wide grin.
Sign up for the Football Update and stay up to date with the latest football news.
When he says that the atmosphere around the diptych, with a place in the semi-finals at stake, will be of a completely different order, he is referring to sensible support from the Legion. The supporters have already caused tons of fines with pyro actions and the next step should not be that Feyenoord will soon have to play without an audience in the most crucial phase of the European tournament of UEFA.
“Atmosphere should not be accompanied by fireworks in the stands”
Slot makes an urgent appeal to its own supporters not to let another mass of fireworks erupt in the stadium. “If we get through, I hope that supporters will be there again. That is why the atmosphere should not be accompanied by fireworks in the stands,” says the coach.
Arne Slot during the press conference a day before the match against Slavia Prague in the quarterfinals of the Conference League.
AP
Jens Toornstra returns to the selection after a few days of flu. Lutsharel Geertruida does not make it to the duel with Slavia Prague, who even wanted to be in the Netherlands two days before the game to prepare well. And Justin Bijlow is of course also in the rag basket.
Slot usually leaves the scouting work to his assistants or scouts, but last weekend he decided to travel to the Czech Republic with his right-hand man Marino Pusic to see Slavia Prague at work. „That was possible because we would be free the next day, but it is also about the quarterfinals, isn’t it. Slavia has a number of new players, including a new, fast striker. One that fits their style even better. Then it is useful to see such a team at work after the previous meetings.”
desserts
Cyriel Dessers will almost certainly start the attack on Thursday evening.
AP
Feyenoord therefore met Slavia Prague home and away in the group stage this season. In De Kuip it became 2-1 for the Rotterdam team after a great first half. In the away game Feyenoord faced an almost impossible task when Guus Til got red after half an hour. Feyenoord managed to pull off a 2-2 draw with ten men. Cyriel Dessers then scored the equalizer in the 90th minute.
That same striker will almost certainly be in the attack again on Thursday evening. The physically strong Belgian is quite a match for the burly Czechs. Dessers is also bursting with self-confidence. “For me personally, that night was one of the best of my career. I was happy that we could secure the group win there in Prague. It was great to celebrate that with the group and the supporters who were all there”, Dessers looks back on that evening with pleasure.
In the dressing room there is no talk out loud about a possible trip to the final, says Dessers. “But everyone knows that we can make a little bit of history by getting through this quarter-final. This is an opportunity that not many players get.”
Dessers notices that Feyenoord’s supporters are also under the spell of the European adventure that has lasted for months. “I am often approached when I walk through the city. The connection between us as a player and the supporters is really nice. Maybe it’s also because the club has had some difficult years. Now we are building again and we can help the club to a European success.”
The Van Genk hired striker does not believe that the pressure of the Legion could become too much for the team. “No, a full Kuip is only positive. We could use the support of the fans. Hopefully they can intimidate the opponent a bit.”