Head worries for trainer Dick Lukkien in the run-up to the duel with NEC. Mark Diemers, the pivot in FC Emmen’s attacking game, will almost certainly not be there at De Oude Meerdijk on Sunday afternoon.
Mark Diemers has been home sick for several days. It is expected that the Leeuwarder, who was of unprecedented value against SC Cambuur last Saturday by providing the assist for Jeroen Veldmate’s winning goal, will not have recovered in time for the meeting with NEC from Nijmegen. Due to privacy legislation, FC Emmen does not make any announcements about the exact nature of the disease. It is clear that the lack of the creative midfielder is very great in advance.
“Everyone can see that Mark is just a very good player,” says coach Dick Lukkien about 29-year-old Diemers, who is rented from Feyenoord until the end of this season. “And after the winter break he only started to play better football and became increasingly important for the team. It is clear that we will miss him. Only: that’s what it is. You have to make up for that loss and that’s what we’re going to do. It is for others to stand up in his absence.”
Mohamed Bouchouari takes advantage
Although Lukkien does not want to say much about how he will give substance to his starting eleven against NEC, Friday training offered some clarification. Based on that session, it seems that the vacated position behind the striker is occupied by Ole Romeny. In the position of Romeny, who has mainly played as a right winger in recent weeks, Mohamed Bouchouari seems to be getting the chance to distinguish himself once again. The Belgian lost his position in the back right to Mike Te Wierik.
The loss of Diemers is offset by the return of Jari Vlak, Lucas Bernadou and Azzeddine Toufiqui. The three midfielders had to miss the game against SC Cambuur due to physical complaints. If appearances are not deceiving, they will start against NEC on the bench. Lukkien seems to hold on to the duo Keziah Veendorp/Ahmed El Messaoudi in midfield, who managed to hold their own in Leeuwarden. The latter even made a beautiful hit.
‘Could play our own game’
FC Emmen and NEC have already faced each other twice this season. The first time, a friendly match during the training camp in Spain last December, FC Emmen triumphed (3-2). In mid-January it was a regular league game and NEC took off with the three points. “In itself a great game from us”, Lukkien looks back, “but we gave away the goals too simply. And if you make too many mistakes, you’re not going to win. It’s that simple.”
The trainer says he has learned from it and will adjust a few things tactically. “NEC usually plays well organized and is well on the ball with players like Lasse Schöne, Philippe Sandler and Elayis Tavsan. In short: a solid team. But on the other hand, NEC also gives its opponents room to play football, you saw that in the previous match. Although we lost, I thought we were able to play our own game there. So there are opportunities there.”