Proud Arne Slot praises Feyenoord and denounces penalty moment: ‘Laughable’ | Dutch football

No matter how the away match in Stadio Olimpico ends next week, Slot feels that Feyenoord counts again in Europe. ,,Last year we played the final of the Conference League and now we are participating nicely in the Europa League”, said the successful coach. “And I think the way we play football in Europe also deserves a compliment.”

Slot did not agree with the penalty that AS Roma received in the final phase of the first half and called it “laughable”. “I think Wieffer had his arm alongside his body,” he said. “In the Netherlands it is not a penalty kick. I cannot imagine that the rules are different in Europe.”

Slot enjoyed the atmosphere in De Kuip, where the spectators behaved well. “It just goes to show that the atmosphere can be fantastic even without fireworks,” said the trainer, who was not congratulated afterwards by his colleague José Mourinho from AS Roma. “But that often doesn’t happen after a game,” he said. ,,I was busy with my team and he probably with his team. You don’t even have to congratulate me yet. We’re only halfway there.”

The star at Feyenoord was captain Orkun Kökcü. ,,I don’t think I’ve seen him play very well under my leadership”, said Slot. “Certainly not if you look at the quality of the opponent.”

Kökcü led the way, dividing the game with precise passes. “I think we played well as a team in the first hour,” said the Turkey international. “From the 70th minute it became more difficult. They were increasingly in possession of the ball. We couldn’t put much pressure on them anymore, also because they played long balls quickly. AS Roma had little to say in the first half. I think we dominated the game for at least an hour, although we just didn’t get that many chances. In the end, this victory feels very good. On to Rome next week.”

Justin Bijlow made his comeback against AS Roma after an injury. “It’s great to be back,” said the goalkeeper, who was sidelined for more than two months with a wrist injury. “Especially if it turns out like this.”

Bijlow has been training with Feyenoord for two weeks. He was replaced by Timon Wellenreuther in recent months. But for trainer Arne Slot it was a foregone conclusion that Bijlow would keep against AS Roma. ,,Because he is fit again”, said the coach. ,,And a fit Bijlow is perhaps the keeper for the Dutch national team. Although I’m not talking about that, of course.”

Bijlow was quite tense before the duel with AS Roma. “But I tried to stay calm. I did my thing and let everything come to me. It was quite difficult to properly assess certain situations. I haven’t participated for a while. Fortunately, I have good goalkeepers around me and a good goalkeeper coach that I can talk to.”

Bijlow chose the right angle when Lorenzo Pellegrini was allowed to take a penalty kick. The ball hit the post. Bijlow might have had the ball if Pellegrini had shot into the far corner. “I can say that now,” he replied. “I’m especially happy that the ball didn’t go in. It will be a very tough job for us next week. But this victory is a good result for us.”