Feyenoord is not yet as strong on the flanks as leader PSV

Over the past two weeks, during the quiet international period for him, Feyenoord coach Arne Slot delved into the images. He analyzed all the goals that Feyenoord scored in the Eredivisie and Champions League until this weekend – more than forty in total. What exactly preceded a goal? How did the build-up go? How the final phase of the attack? Which players were involved?

A striking conclusion is that “many goals” are created after “long attacks through the middle,” says Slot. So through combination play across the axis, mainly through the midfielders – after which striker Santiago Gimenez usually completes the attack. “A big difference from last season, when we were very dependent on the sides,” says Slot. “Then we gave dozens of crosses in the hope that we would finally get a ball in.”

Feyenoord is doing things differently this season. The team often cuts through the heart of the defense. But opponents anticipate this. For example, by strengthening the center with an extra defender, as Excelsior coach Marinus Dijkhuizen did on Saturday at the end of the first half at 1-1. In the hope that Feyenoord would get stuck in the busy axis. “Then it has to come down to the one-on-one of the wingers,” says Slot. Because there, on the flanks, there will be more space.

This makes the role of the wingers more important again. Slot worked specifically on this with the attackers at the 1908 training complex in the past period. “We will also have to create our danger from the sides again. Otherwise, teams will adapt to us.” More variation – read: less predictability – in the attack is important.

So Slot is on top after four minutes on Saturday when an attacking move by Brazilian right winger Igor Paixao fails. “Hey Igor!” he calls. Moments later, the Brazilian gives a good, high cross from the side that Gimenez shoots in at the far post. But Ten minutes later, Paixao gave the wrong back pass from which Excelsior scored. It shows that Feyenoord (which won 4-2) still has a lot to improve on the flanks.

PSV supremacy

The play on the flanks is an aspect in which leader PSV distinguishes itself from competitor Feyenoord – and can be of great importance in the mutual match next Sunday in De Kuip. With a deficit of seven points, Feyenoord will hunt for PSV, still clear in the Eredivisie after thirteen games.

“We are performing better than last season in every part of football,” Slot said on Saturday, based on internal analyzes such as goals conceded and expected goals (the expected number of goals based on various statistics). “Only yes, there is one club that is breaking all records at the moment.”

PSV’s supremacy is perhaps most evident from the substitutions on Saturday evening at FC Twente, which was considered unbeatable in Enschede. Hirving Lozano is taken off halfway through the second half, while Noa Lang, who has recovered from an injury, is brought in ten minutes later. It is the luxury that PSV coach Peter Bosz has on the flanks. Two international players, both bought this summer for around fifteen million euros, and immediately of great influence. Champion stuff.

PSV’s most important wingers are of greater sporting value this season than those of Feyenoord. The combination of speed, actions, smart passing and effectiveness makes them so dangerous. With a single flash they can help PSV overcome a difficult point in a match. Together with the leading power of striker Luuk de Jong and the power in midfield, this makes PSV very strong offensively.

Lozano – 9 games, 5 goals, 3 assists, 13 chances created in the Eredivisie – is crucial in this. On Wednesday he played another 120 minutes for his country in Mexico City against Honduras. Bosz had been “worried” whether that would work, three days later another tough match in Enschede – with jet lag and after a long flight. “It was really amazing how he played. So menacing, he did almost everything right.” A foul on Lozano by Mees Hilgers (who was shown a red card after VAR intervention) led to the 3-0 win over FC Twente.

Thanks to a strong performance by Belgian talent Johan Bakayoko (20), it was the evening of the wingers at PSV. He provided the assist for Joey Veerman’s 1-0, provided the cross to Lozano for Robin Pröpper’s own goal and scored himself in the final phase.

Bakayoko – 13 games, 3 goals, 7 assists, 34 chances created – has “started nicely” in his first year as a regular starter, Bosz said on Saturday. To then call him an “exceptional talent”, especially due to his strong physique in combination with good technique.

“I always look at players’ first ball receptions, they are good for him. He is threatening in one-on-one, but he also has a good cross.” But, says Bosz, “it is still far from good enough.” He believes that Bakayoko still needs to do “a lot better.” He thus escaped a red card in the final phase, something Bosz was critical of.

With the return of Noa Lang – 8 games, 4 goals, 1 assist, 14 chances created – PSV is back to full offensive strength. At a time when several top matches await, Sevilla can qualify for the eighth finals in the Champions League on Wednesday. It will be interesting how Bosz will manage that: he can only field two of the three wingers mentioned. Salient in that light: against RC Lens in the Champions League earlier this month, Lozano went for his own success while Bakayoko was in a more promising position.

Top purchase Feyenoord

He also has to do it now, in cold Kralingen, with driving rain pouring over the Van Donge & De Roo Stadium. The Croatian Luka Ivanusec, one of the top purchases at Feyenoord this summer for around 8.5 million euros, is unhappy in his actions against Excelsior. Ivanusec (8 games, 1 goal, 1 assist, 8 chances created) started well at Feyenoord, but has struggled to find his rhythm after an injury.

In the combination with left back Quilindschy Hartman, things are not going smoothly either. Where Hartman normally often makes the overlap (coming up along the side, ‘over’ the left winger), this is not possible now. They have not played together that often, so they still need “some time” to improve the coordination, says Hartman. “Luka looks for the opponent, an overlapping back suits his game. I can also have a good connection with Luka.”

Ivanusec is substituted after an hour for Yankuba Minteh, a loanee from Newcastle United. He creates the opening with a lightning-fast acceleration, passes to Gimenez, who scores. That’s exactly what Slot wants to see – danger from the sides. Although it will not have escaped his notice that Minteh (10 games, 3 goals, 2 assists, 7 chances created) lets Excelsior left back Arthur Zagré walk five minutes later, and that an opportunity arises from that.

Mistakes that will be punished sooner in the Champions League against Atlético Madrid on Tuesday and in the top match against PSV on Sunday.

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