Stephano Carrillo made his mark this past Saturday when he debuted for Feyenoord, contributing to the team's 2-1 victory over Almere City at Feyenoord Stadium. This match not only marked the beginning of Carrillo's career in European football but also showcased his potential as he steps onto the international stage following his time with Santos Laguna.
Entering the match at the 62nd minute, with the score tied, Carrillo was brought on by interim coach Pascal Bosschart. The former Santos Laguna player stepped onto the field determined to help secure victory. His arrival followed his previous match, where he was named to the bench, so this was his first opportunity to impress on the pitch.
Early on, Almere City set the tone, scoring just six minutes after kickoff due to a strike from Charles-Andreas Brym. That left Feyenoord trailing and searching for answers. The city’s own fears of relegation hung over Almere as they aimed for points to escape the drop zone.
Yet, Feyenoord found their rhythm when Julián Carranza leveled the score at 33 minutes, setting the stage for what was to be an exhilarating finish. The energy intensified, with Carrillo becoming visibly engaged throughout the match, consistently positioning himself as a potential scoring threat.
Statistically, Carrillo completed five of his seven passes and won three out of six duels, as recorded by Sofascore. His involvement led to notable moments, such as winning free kicks and creating opportunities for his teammates. Even though he faced offside calls and suffered from two fouls, his presence drew the attention of Almere’s defense, which opened up spaces for others.
The decisive moment came at the 90+1 minute when Dávid Hancko scored the winning goal thanks to the assist from Givairo Read, solidifying Feyenoord's hard-fought victory and ensuring Carrillo's debut was marked by success.
Currently, Feyenoord sits with 43 points, well behind league leaders PSV Eindhoven. The club continues to build after losing Santiago Giménez, whom they sold to AC Milan, creating room for Carrillo to establish himself within the squad. By signing Carrillo, Feyenoord aims to fortify their lineup and retain competitive strength throughout the season.
Looking forward, Carrillo is limited to local competitions for the time being. Despite Feyenoord's advancement to the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League, he was not registered to participate, having signed just days after the registration deadline. This means he will have to wait and focus on making his mark domestically before potentially competing on the European stage next season.
The victory over Almere City not only gives Carrillo and Feyenoord momentum but also keeps the dreams of fans alive as they hope to see more brilliance from their new forward. Carrillo’s debut marks just the beginning of what could be a fruitful chapter for this promising player as he navigates through his European adventure, absolutely with the hope to reshape his career after his strong foundation laid back at Santos.