Van Marwijk: “I think it was underestimated how good Tomasson was”

On Tuesday evening, Borussia Dortmund reached the final of the Champions League by eliminating Paris Saint Germain. For the Germans, it is hoped that this final will be different from the final on May 8, 2002. It is exactly 22 years ago today that Feyenoord won 3-2 against Those Boruses.

This all happened under the leadership of Bert van Marwijk. The trainer talks to Football International seven insights from that finale. It is about the incomprehensible tactics of Borussia Dortmund, the influence of the murder of Pim Fortuyn, the strength and weaknesses of the German team, but also about Feyenoord itself. “I think it was underestimated how good Tomasson was,” says the trainer. “Now you see a lot of teams playing 4-2-3-1, defending from a 4-4-2 to get rid of the pass to midfield. He did that automatically at the time.”

“Sometimes he also dropped back a line further, which made us even more compact in the axis of the field. He was a very important player for us as a running number 10. Actually a 9.5. When in possession of the ball, he was the one who did a lot of moved around Van Hooijdonk. He also often went over him.” Tomasson often dropped to the opponent’s defensive midfielder and that created perfect dynamics. “Then things are so good with Bosvelt and Ono behind it. Don’t underestimate Ono’s defensive qualities, also positionally. Bosvelt could do everything.”

Shinji Ono
Not only Jon Dahl Tomasson was extremely important in the Feyenoord team at that time. Shinji Ono is also particularly highlighted by Van Marwijk. “Ono was incredibly good. When you can’t figure it out anymore, you sometimes have to push the ball forward because you don’t know what to do anymore. Then it’s very nice to have a player who can always pass you on. I think he was better than everyone thought he was. He is remembered as a very cool technician, but was also a very good forward defender.”

Yet Ono’s career has not been as successful as it could have been. “He was taken advantage of by Japan. They called him back for everything. Then you are talking about six hours of time difference and twelve, thirteen hours of flying. That contributed to the fact that he was often injured for a long time later in his career. Without those obligations For Japan I think he would have come much further. I thought he was a really top player.”