Feyenoord suffered a defeat for the first time this Eredivisie season on Sunday. Coach Arne Slot’s team lost 2-1 when visiting FC Twente. With the win, the Tukkers take over third place from Feyenoord.
FC Twente flew out of the starting blocks in De Grolsch Veste and took the lead within ten minutes thanks to Manfred Ugalde. Fifteen minutes before the end, substitute Ricky van Wolfswinkel doubled the lead, after which Lutsharel Geertruida signed for the 2-1 just before the end.
Feyenoord was undefeated in the Eredivisie until the match in Enschede. The Rotterdam team had won the last seven competition matches. Due to PSV’s win over Ajax (5-2), the deficit to PSV is now seven points.
With the victory, FC Twente passes Feyenoord in the rankings. The Tukkers are now undefeated in the Eredivisie for 23 home games in a row.
FC Twente starts well
Feyenoord started unchanged compared to the Champions League match against Lazio (3-1) last Wednesday. This meant that Ramiz Zerrouki had a starting place for the Rotterdam team in the Eredivisie for the first time against his old club. At FC Twente, the recovered Michel Vlap returned to the line-up.
FC Twente had already scored 31 home matches in a row in the Eredivisie and also scored against Feyenoord within ten minutes. Ugalde cut out the slipping Dávid Hancko and shot the ball behind goalkeeper Justin Bijlow via Quilindschy Hartman.
Feyenoord then had difficulty finding a hole in the Twente defense. Santiago Giménez missed a cross, while Bart Nieuwkoop shot over. Just before half time, Geertruida hit the post, but shortly afterwards referee Dennis Higler blew the whistle for an offside situation.
Feyenoord also struggles in the second half
Slot intervened at half-time and brought on Igor Paixão and Nieuwkoop for Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Luka Ivanusec. Feyenoord immediately had a great chance in the second half, but Calvin Stengs’ attempt was saved by goalkeeper Lars Unnerstall.
Feyenoord tried with all their might to force something, but FC Twente simply held on. Fifteen minutes before the end, Van Wolfswinkel took advantage of the freedom offered by crowning a counter with a goal. The referee initially disallowed the goal for offside, but the VAR ruled that the goal was valid.
The visit from Rotterdam seemed defeated, but Geertruida brought back the tension just before the end by firing in a corner kick. Feyenoord did not progress further, while FC Twente still had opportunities to expand the score. For example, Michal Sadílek’s attempt was cleared off the line in injury time.
The post first appeared on www.nu.nl