Feyenoord had to do it in Prague without Justin Bijlow. The goalkeeper tested positive for the corona virus this week, forcing Ofir Marciano to defend the goal for the third time this season. After eleven minutes of play, the difference between the two goalkeepers became clear. The pass from the Israeli was too soft and because Tyrell Malacia was not razor sharp either, Alexander Bah took over, after which Peter Olayinka was able to tap in.
Incidentally, Marciano was not the only one who had trouble with the fiercely hunting Czechs. Gernot Trauner and Marcos Senesi also regularly found themselves in difficult situations in the opening phase. In the meantime, Feyenoord didn’t do much offensively, while Bryan Linssen had to be replaced by Cyriel Dessers early on.
After more than twenty minutes, there was a well-running Feyenoord attack for the first time, but Dessers and Orkun Kökcü both just didn’t get a chance to shoot. The opportunities came later. First there was a good save on a shot by Dessers and then Guus Til failed to choose a corner with a free header. The third real opportunity was a hit. Dessers turned well away from his opponent and then hit hard.
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Fredrik Aursnes on the ball.
Ⓒ ANP/HH
Feyenoord seemed to be getting better and better in the game, but eight minutes before half time there was another setback. Til made a wild tackle at calf height and was booked by the referee. However, on the advice of an assistant or the fourth man, it turned red for the attacking midfielder. It was in any case a first half with many minor irritations back and forth.
After the break it was mostly one-way traffic towards the Feyenoord goal. However, it took a while before the home side had a real chance. Marciano got the chance to distinguish himself from a well-aimed corner with a great save on a fine header by Aiham Ousou. A few minutes later, however, the goalie made a horrific mistake. A long shot seemed an easy prey for Marciano, but he let go of the ball, after which Jan Kuchta was there like the chickens to make the 2-1.
Slavia then lost control of the match and Feyenoord slowly came close to Ales Mandous’s goal again. Right back Marcus Holmgren Pedersen even got into a good shooting position once, but aimed just wide. Moments later, Dessers claimed he was entitled to a penalty kick, but he did not get it. In the final phase, Feyenoord started a few more times and it was very close to the equalizer. Lutsharel headed in Geertruida from a corner, but the ball was removed from the goal mouth, even though Feyenoord claimed that the ball had crossed the goal line.
Still it was 2-2. Who else but Dessers put his head against a measured cross from Geertruida and thus ensured the deserved equalizer. As a result, Feyenoord is not only through to the knockout phase, but also as a group winner.
