It’s matchday for Feyenoord! The team, under the guidance of Robin van Persie, is set to face FC Groningen tonight in a rescheduled fixture from a few weeks back. For the Rotterdammers, this is a crucial evening, as they have the opportunity to create serious distance from AZ and potentially leapfrog FC Utrecht in the league standings. The match can be followed live on ESPN.
Feyenoord’s lineup features Wellenreuther; Read, Beelen, Hancko, Smal; Hwang, Moder, Milambo; Hadj Moussa, Carranza, and Paixão. Meanwhile, FC Groningen will field Vaessen; Rente, Ekdal, Blokzijl, Prins; Resink, Kwakman; Bacuna, Valente, Schreuders; and Van Bergen. On the bench, Feyenoord has Andreev, Bossin, Trauner, González, Hartman, Zerrouki, 'T Zand, Ivanusec, Sliti, Osman, Ueda, and Carrillo, while FC Groningen’s substitutes include Jurjus, Meijster, Willumsson, Emeran, Seuntjens, Stam, Oosting, Mendes, Postema, Peersman, and Van der Werff.
The score currently stands at 2-1 in favor of Feyenoord during the second half of the match on April 2, 2025. This match is not just another game; it’s a pivotal moment for both teams in the context of their respective seasons.
Prior to the match, RTV Noord provided a preview of the away game for FC Groningen against Feyenoord. Originally slated for Saturday, March 8, the match was postponed due to Feyenoord’s Champions League clash against Internazionale. This change disappointed many FC Groningen supporters who had planned to travel to De Kuip that Saturday. Nevertheless, over 1,150 fans are making the trip midweek, filling the away section once again.
FC Groningen enters this match with a more robust squad than they had back in March, with only midfielder Tika de Jonge sidelined due to suspension. Coach Dick Lukkien emphasized the need for his team to perform exceptionally well, stating, "It’s a huge cliché, but we will need to be very good, and they will need to have a slightly worse day. We feel good about how we work and play together. This is an ultimate test to show that against one of the best clubs in the Netherlands."
FC Groningen is enjoying a stellar second half of the season, matching their total points from the first half. Following a 1-1 draw against NAC Breda last weekend, the team sits comfortably in the top half of the table at eighth place. Their last defeat was two months ago in Rotterdam, where they fell 1-0 to Sparta. Since then, FC Groningen has won three matches and drawn two, accumulating 16 points post-winter break. Only Ajax (28 points), Go Ahead Eagles (19), and Heracles Almelo (17) have secured more points in 2025.
On the other hand, Feyenoord has earned one point less than FC Groningen this year, but they are positioned fourth in the league with 50 points after 26 matches. The season has been tumultuous for the Rotterdam club, especially following the dismissal of former coach Brian Priske on February 10. Interim coach Pascal Bosschaart took charge before Robin van Persie assumed the role permanently on March 1, making his debut in a goalless draw against NEC. Since then, Feyenoord has faced Internazionale in the Champions League, losing the tie 4-1 on aggregate, but they bounced back with a commanding 6-2 victory over FC Twente and a 3-2 win against Go Ahead Eagles.
Feyenoord has experienced some surprising draws at home against teams lower in the standings this season, with notable results against Willem II (1-1), Fortuna Sittard (1-1), and NEC (0-0). They also suffered defeats against league leaders Ajax (0-2) and third-placed FC Utrecht (1-2).
In their last encounter, FC Groningen, as a first-division club, faced Feyenoord in the KNVB Cup semi-finals, narrowly losing 2-1 at De Kuip. Lukkien expressed hope that his players would embrace the challenge and play with confidence. "We need to do what we can every time, and we have been on the right path for some months now. That’s what’s necessary now," he said.
One standout player for Feyenoord this season has been Igor Paixão, who has made a significant impact with ten goals and nine assists. He was instrumental in the previous match against Go Ahead Eagles, scoring the decisive goal, and had a hat-trick against FC Twente just before that.
Historically, FC Groningen has struggled at De Kuip, with 43 previous visits resulting in 30 defeats, ten draws, and just three wins. Their first victory in the stadium came in 2004, when Martin Drent scored twice, including a stunning lob. The last time they managed to secure a point was on March 5, 2022, when the match ended in a 1-1 draw thanks to a goal from Michael de Leeuw.
As the match progresses, fans can stay updated via live broadcasts on Radio Noord and the RTV Noord website. The kickoff for Feyenoord vs. FC Groningen is set for 8:00 PM, with pre-match coverage starting at 7:30 PM. Daniël Theelen will present, with live commentary from Stefan Bleeker and analysis by Martin Drent.
Injuries and suspensions are a concern for both teams, with Maxim Mariani, Fofin Turay, and Sven Bouland ruled out for FC Groningen. As the clock ticks down, both teams are eager to secure crucial points in this tightly contested league.
