Feyenoord is set to clash with Almere City tonight at De Kuip, with kickoff scheduled for 20:00 CET. This encounter is particularly significant as it marks the last match for interim coach Pascal Bosschaart at the helm of Feyenoord. Following this game, Robin van Persie, the club's former star player, will formally take over as head coach.
The stakes are high as Feyenoord looks to capitalize on the momentum gained from their impressive performance earlier this week, where they secured a draw against AC Milan, advancing them to the UEFA Champions League knockout stage. Meanwhile, Almere City arrives desperately searching for points to escape the clutches of relegation; they currently sit at the bottom of the Eredivisie standings with only 14 points from 22 matches.
Bosschaart, who took on the interim role just 13 days ago, expressed fondness for his brief tenure, stating, "Het waren 13 fantastische dagen," reflecting his pride and commitment during challenging times for the team. His coaching experience has been marked by disruptions, including significant injuries affecting key players. Despite this, he has emphasized the importance of unity and performance as they head toward the end of the season.
Feyenoord's lineup is anticipated to include goalkeeper Wellenreuther, alongside defenders Read, Beelen, Hancko, and Hartman. The midfield will see Targhalline making his debut, joined by Moder and Milambo, aiming to fortify the team's control of the game. The attacking front consists of Hadj Moussa, Carranza, who recently scored the decisive goal against AC Milan, and Paixão.
On the opposite side, Almere City, coached by Jeroen Rijsdijk, will field Bakker as goalkeeper, with Akujobi, Visus, Lawrence, and Zagaritis across the back. Midfielders Haye and Van de Kamp are tasked with feeding the attack, which features Hansen, Robinet, Kadile, and Brym.
The match, originally slated for January, was postponed allowing both teams to construct their strategies more effectively. Feyenoord is currently faced with numerous injury setbacks, limiting their available players, yet they are expected to press hard for victory.
This game holds multiple layers of significance; not only does it play a pivotal role in the title chase for Feyenoord, who aims to secure their position for the Champions League qualifiers but it also stands as Almere City's battle against relegation. They know they must secure points to escape the last place, as their fate appears grim amid the pressure.
Given recent performances, Feyenoord would appear favorites to win tonight's match. Their ambition to join the top ranks of the Dutch league is matched by Almere City's urgent need to perform as they navigate through the challenging waters of relegation battle.
Tonight will see the stands filled with fervent supporters from both sides at De Kuip, eager to see whether Bosschaart can conclude his brief tenure with victory and if his successor, Van Persie, has what it takes to lead the historic club back to glory starting next week.