Rogier Meijer was relieved on Saturday evening after the 3-0 victory against FC Volendam. After a strong second half, the Nijmegen team were too good for the Palingboeren. Thanks to the victory over Wim Jonk’s team, the red-green-blacks are once again fully involved in the battle for a play-off ticket. “We played football attractively and with great pleasure.”
“When we score the first goal, something falls off us”, the coach began. “We then see that we have players who are good on the ball and who can create something. You get a little more space and then you see that something arises. I think it gives a good feeling for us and for the audience.”
Thank you
One criticism of the game was the constant combining. Meijer saw that against Volendam that was a lot less. “We started playing a bit more direct. In the build-up we have sometimes opted for the long ball to create depth. We also play a bit more on the cross in the last phase of the field. As a result, the return slightly increases.”
Elayis Tavsan had a bad night. The winger had several opportunities to score a goal, but he failed to do so, sometimes to the frustration of the crowd. Meijer saw a great match from his pupil. “In the end, he came into the position to score very much. He just couldn’t finish. That of course gnaws at him, but he just played well.”
European ambitions
Thanks to the victory, NEC is gradually working towards the places that entitle it to play-offs for European football. “That’s only good. Everyone is fit and we also have a good bench behind it. It’s nice that you can switch. Pedro Marques scored again as a substitute, but I also thought Nany (Dimata, ed.) played a very good game.”
For the first time this season, the team from Nijmegen records two victories in a row. Can NEC expand that range? “Haha, I’ve heard that question many times before. In any case, it gives a good feeling. This gives confidence towards Ajax, but everyone knows that it is a difficult away match. In any case, we will do everything we can to make it difficult for them.”
“It is nice that you are joining us for the play-offs. Only you won’t make the playoffs until the end of the season. I don’t panic as easily if we’re a little further away from it. We just have to keep doing what we’re doing now, don’t give up too quickly anyway. At the end we have to see if we are there, but I have the feeling that we will succeed”, Meijer concludes hopefully.
Foto: Orange Pictures
