Roda JC battled to earn a hard-fought draw against Excelsior on March 1, 2025, with the match ending 1-1 at Rotterdam's stadium. Though the game showcased moments of struggle from both sides, Roda's performance was enough to secure them one valuable point as they push for play-off positions.
The encounter started with both teams underperforming, marred by mistakes, inaccurate passes, and frequent fouls, particularly during the first half. Roda leapt to life late in the first half, surprising Excelsior with some offensive gusto. Michael Breij found the back of the net just before halftime, converting from approximately twelve meters after the ball fell favorably for him. His goal came against the run of play, providing Roda with the much-needed edge going to the break.
Roda's coach, Bas Sibum, opted for three changes from the team’s previous match against FC Den Bosch, hoping to rejuvenate the lineup. Notably, Nils Röseler returned to the defensive line after overcoming injury, and Thibo Baeten was selected to strengthen the offense, replacing Patriot Sejdiju.
Encouraged by their lead after halftime, Roda showed greater initiative and posed some threats. Baeten even had a significant opportunity to extend Roda's advantage but couldn't find the target. Unfortunately for Roda, their optimism took a hit around the hour mark when Kik Pierie, enjoying an offensive moment as he joined the attack, leveled the match with his header, capitalizing on the space afforded to him.
Following Pierie's equalizer, the contest resumed its tight contest. Roda, who had delivered one of their stronger performances of the season, saw their lead dissipate, but they kept pushing back. Notably, Tiago Çukur made attempts to put the Roda back up but faced stout resistance from excelling goalkeeper Calvin Raatsie. The tide of the game shifted with the pressure mounting on both defenses, and as both teams sought the winner, opportunities dwindled.
The game concluded with both sides sharing the spoils, with Roda resulting back to Kerkrade satisfied with their hard-earned point, though aware the performance required improvement. Sibum's men will likely focus on refining aspects of their game as they prepare for their next important fixture against the PSV reserves and Helmond Sport following shortly after.
This draw sees Roda currently climbing to the ninth spot on the league table, which keeps them faintly alive for plays-offs positions. The overall sentiment is mixed; optimistic about securing the point yet realizing the need for continual improvement amid erratic performances. While it can be easy to get caught up, struggling through poor phases is common for teams aiming to stay competitive.