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The question is whether the turnaround will come in time. Compared to the 4-0 defeat at Go Ahead, the Tilburg team has undergone a metamorphosis. Now there was suddenly the fighting spirit needed to avert relegation. If Willem II manages to continue that line, there is still perspective. After the match against PSV, the Tilburg players still play against Heracles (home), Cambuur (away) and FC Utrecht (home).
Support
It won’t be up to the fans. The fans of Willem II were up early for the brunch match. They greeted the team bus with fireworks when it arrived at the stadium. The football players had spent the night in Gilze-Rijen to appear optimally at the kick-off. There they saw that PEC Zwolle won at RKC Waalwijk, which made the situation for the Tilburg number even more dire recently. The fans gathered in front of the house of the fired technical director Joris Mathijsen, who lives near the stadium.
Vitesse, which lost 0-3 at home to Willem II, missed a large number of basic players. Among them were Maximilian Wittek, Jano Gboho, goalkeeper Jeroen Houwen and Nikolai Baden Frederiksen. Trainer Thomas Letsch had to appeal to the youth. For example, Miliano Jonathans, a real Arnhemmer, was in the match selection for the first time. He was given eight minutes of playing time.
At Willem II, captain Pol Llonch, plagued by muscle injuries, was given a starting place for the first time since the game against Sparta on February 13. That was at the expense of Daniel Crowley, who made it to the winter break. So less football, but a resilient and combative midfield. Those were the motivations of trainer Kevin Hofland, who had once again indicated that the Tilburgers had to play with the knife between their teeth.
Play for the win
Willem II did play for the win. Hofland renounced the system with three central defenders. Mats Köhlert again just got an attacking role on the left and Derick Köhn played left back. The Tilburg team took the lead within four minutes after a resounding start. Leeroy Owusu intercepted an attack. Jizz Hornkamp, who only scored twice in his debut against RKC, scored well.
Vitesse, which is still playing for sixth, then gradually took over the initiative. That did not lead to great opportunities before the break, although the Tilburg players had their hands full with the fast Loïs Openda. The continued threat made the second company fear the worst.
Frustrated Vitesse
Willem II was also much brighter in the second half. At Vitesse, frustrations increased. Jacob Rasmussen, Sondre Tronstad and Riechedly Bazoer were booked in quick succession. Bazoer then kicked a ball displeased during a Tilburg injury treatment and escaped red. It all did not benefit Vitesse’s game.
The Arnhem team only started playing football again halfway through the second half. At Willem II, Hornkamp and Max Svensson suffered from cramps. That showed how much power it had all taken. The striker even had to be replaced. Vitesse pushed Willem II back into his own half. With a few scrimmages the ball always fell well for the Tilburgers, who cherished the precious lead.