Feyenoord enters a grueling 29-day stretch featuring eight matches with a visibly fit squad and heightened collective work rate, though analysts question whether the club’s squad depth can withstand an inevitable injury crisis, fr12.nl reported.
Mario Been Praises Squad Fitness and Team Chemistry
Former Feyenoord manager Mario Been expressed strong enthusiasm for the team’s current trajectory under Giovanni van Bronckhorst. Speaking on the Dick Voormekaar Podcast, Been highlighted the relentless movement, physical conditioning, and shared responsibility visible on the pitch. “I am thoroughly enjoying Feyenoord,” Been said. “There is an enormous amount of movement in the team. They run through each other and they are incredibly fit. I can’t say anything other than that it is fun to watch.”
Beyond physical output, Been noted a fundamental shift in team chemistry compared to previous campaigns. Citing comments from Luciano Valente, Been emphasized that the squad is functioning as a unified collective. “They really do it with each other,” Been said, noting that players are willing to run and sacrifice for teammates rather than play individual roles. He specifically pointed to the staggering work rate of young right-back Givairo Read, joking that the teenager covers more ground in a single match than he himself used to manage during half a season.
Squad Depth and Injury Concerns Loom Over the Schedule
Despite the positive start, Been raised concerns regarding the team’s resilience should key personnel suffer injuries. With long-term absentees such as Jakub Moder and Jordan Bos still sidelined, the coaching staff faces a demanding fixture list with a largely fixed group of starters. Soccernews.nl noted that technical director Dévy Rigaux built the summer transfer strategy around player availability and historical workload, but the physical demands of playing every three days threaten to test the limits of the Rotterdam roster.
Those concerns are shared across Dutch football media. Speaking on ESPN’s Voetbalpraat, former Feyenoord midfielder Karim El Ahmadi warned that injuries to pivotal figures like Anis Hadj Moussa or Givairo Read could create severe problems on specific flanks. El Ahmadi highlighted Read’s emergence, suggesting the defender has developed so rapidly he could soon contention for the Dutch national team’s second right-back spot.
Focus on Como Before the PSV Clash
With an October 25 Eredivisie showdown against reigning rivals PSV looming in Eindhoven, Been cautioned against looking too far ahead. “PSV the topper? If you lose to Telstar and you win from PSV, you have nothing to show for it either,” Been said. Instead, the focus remains fixed on European competition. Feyenoord hosts Como in the UEFA Champions League, an opponent Been insists deserves total respect despite lacking Italian players in their ranks. Highlighting the presence of former Dutch league top scorer Anastasios Douvikas and an aggressive, attacking style, Been expects an open match supported by the home atmosphere at De Kuip.
Nacho Ferri Wins Over Skeptics
The tactical transformation has also elevated individual profiles within the squad. Been admitted he initially harbored doubts about striker Nacho Ferri, but recent performances have forced a reassessment. “I was a bit skeptical about our striker, but when I look at Ferri now… he is a handful,” Been said, praising the forward’s speed and ability to hold up long balls. Willem van Hanegem, writing in the Algemeen Dagblad, echoed that praise, highlighting Ferri’s defensive tracking speed alongside Luciano Valente’s precise distribution from a hybrid left-wing role.
Feyenoord’s upcoming fixture block runs through December 20, concluding with a home Eredivisie fixture against FC Twente.
Worth a look
