FEYENOORD
Slot building something special
The most significant occurrence this summer at the Dutch champions was the decision of much-lauded coach Arne Slot to sign a new contract with the Rotterdammers to keep him on board until 2026. Slot had been linked with Tottenham Hotspur, only to wisely conclude that he still has unfinished business in the Dutch port city. There is a euphoria in Rotterdam at the moment that Slot just could not resist. Feyenoord’s Eredivisie triumph last term was only their second this century and they have not competed in the Champions League for six long years. Why would Slot want to miss out on this?
Feyenoord, thrice European victors – claiming the European Cup in1969-70, and the UEFA Cup in both1973-74 and 2001-02 – have been displaying shoots of growth on the continental scene of late, reaching the last eight of the Europa League last season and losing to Roma in the 2021-22 Europa Conference League final. In their last Champions League campaign, they lost five out of six group fixtures. Any improvement would be most welcome.
Will Feyenoord’s young squad (average age of 23.6 years) be a help or hindrance?
Most of the time, it constitutes a plus. They go about their task with an unrestrained youthful exuberance, and there’s a fearlessness and bravery about them too. They have an indomitable spirit and proved it often enough in the Eredivisie last season, regularly coming from a goal down to rescue points.
Who will replace the suspended Santiago Gimenez in Feyenoord’s first two European games?
Feyenoord will be relying on Japan striker Ayase Ueda, who arrives in Rotterdam with a solid reputation as a marksman. Last season, he netted no fewer than 22 goals in the Belgian top flight for Cercle Brugge. He says he can’t wait to make his bow in the Champions League.
How much will they miss ex-skipper and star performer Orkun Kokcu after his summer move to Benfica?
Technically gifted and imaginative, Kokcu was the heartbeat of Feyenoord’s engine room for five years. All in all, he played 175 games, scoring 32
