Feyenoord claimed a 3-2 victory against Como 1907 in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday evening at De Kuip, securing their first three points of the league phase after overcoming a sophisticated tactical blueprint designed by visiting coach Cesc Fàbregas. The Dutch side fought back from an early deficit through goals from Gjivai Zechiël and a decisive second-half double by Anis Hadj Moussa. Meanwhile, sports journalists analyzed how both benches handled high-stakes tactical chess in Rotterdam-Zuid.
Fàbregas deploys Nico Paz and Diao to dismantle Feyenoord’s centre
Como arrived at De Kuip with a deliberate tactical plan that bypassed a traditional striker, deploying number ten Nico Paz through the middle to test Feyenoord’s defensive organization, reported Pieter Zwart for Voetbal International. The visitors manufactured the opening goal using that exact mechanism when midfielder Targhalline stepped up to press, forcing central defender Mármol to track Paz and leaving space on the left for fast-moving winger Diao to exploit. That breakthrough arrived in the early stages before Diao suffered an injury that forced an early substitution and disrupted the Italian side’s tactical shape.
Double marking fails to halt Feyenoord winger Hadj Moussa
To neutralize Feyenoord’s dangerous right flank—featuring Read, Zechiël, and Hadj Moussa—Como deployed a left-back as a left winger to provide double coverage against the Algerian international, as detailed by Voetbal International. Despite facing two defenders, Hadj Moussa repeatedly unlocked the visitors’ backline with crucial assistance from Read, whose overlapping runs created hesitation in the Como defense. That combination yielded Feyenoord’s second goal when Hadj Moussa cut inside to find shooting space and converted to shift the scoreline from 1-1 to 3-1.
🔴⚪ | The moment Anis Hadj Moussa scores for Feyenoord vs Como! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Ua4J17bcoW
Zechiël and Hadj Moussa secure three points in Rotterdam
Feyenoord responded instantly to Diao’s early opener when Gjivai Zechiël struck a long-range effort past the Como defense within two minutes. Anis Hadj Moussa then took over after the interval, scoring twice to build a 3-1 advantage before Como struck back in the third minute of stoppage time. The narrow margin failed to threaten the final result, sealing a 3-2 win that builds upon the club’s European campaign following an earlier fixture against Barcelona.
Driessen points to valuation for Feyenoord match-winner
The stellar European display has already sparked fierce discussion regarding the future valuation of Feyenoord’s standout winger. Writing in De Telegraaf, analyst Valentijn Driessen argued that retaining Hadj Moussa and Givairo Read through the summer transfer window proved invaluable, suggesting the Algerian’s current trajectory could easily surpass the €40 million mark if he maintains his present form in the Champions League. Driessen emphasized that Hadj Moussa’s individual unpredictability makes him indispensable when matches tighten up against elite continental defenses.
Defenders struggle against unguardable dribbler
Martijn Krabbendam reinforced those assessments on the Dick Voormekaar Podcast, noting that even exhaustive video study failed to give Como the tools required to shut down the winger. Krabbendam observed that he has seen defenders of City, Barcelona, Milan and Bayern München all have difficulty with Hadj Moussa. The forward’s unique profile continues to set him apart as a definitive difference-maker on the European stage.
Telstar awaits in the Eredivisie following European heroics
With their opening European home fixture successfully navigated, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s squad turns its immediate attention back to domestic competition. Feyenoord travels to Velsen-Zuid on Saturday to face Telstar in the VriendenLoterij Eredivisie, carrying renewed confidence and three vital points from their Champions League opening phase.
