Feyenoord has not managed to win the national title for the second year in a row this season. Obviously this has to do with, for example, the loss of points in the first two rounds, but it is also because the opponents started the match against the Rotterdam team in a different way.
“I noticed it a bit,” says Santiago Gimenez about the difference between last season and the current season as reigning national champion. “They respected us a little bit more, but not in a nice way. They played defensively. This season we played better football than last season, but I think we lost a lot of points. I think we drew the first two games and at the beginning you may not see the importance of those matches, but at the end you know that they were very important.”
Slot also took a different approach to keeping the players on their toes, Alireza Jahanbakhsh says in the talk show Kick ‘t Met by Ziggo Sports. “That’s one of the things he tells us very often. As a reigning champion, they always expect you to come and perform. What happened with us is that a lot of teams took us more seriously. They knew they were up against the champion of the country. So they started playing a little differently. Especially more defensively and they play harder. The players individually want to show themselves because they are playing against the champion of the country.
Repeat a match
The two Feyenoord players are then asked which match of this season they would like to play again, because it was such a great experience, or because the outcome should have been different. Gimenez: “If I wanted to repeat the experience, I would say Lazio. My debut in the Champions League. But we won, so let’s keep it that way. If I wanted to change one, it would be an important match of call myself when I scored the penalty. Because my confidence was very high and after that moment I played at a lower level.”
The choice was also quickly made for Jahanbakhsh. “I would probably choose a match in which I did not play due to my injury. That was Atlético at home. That match could make a big difference in terms of wintering in the Champions League. In the case of replaying a match to enjoy it , then definitely Ajax at home.”
Club history
Feyenoord’s current selection will not only be remembered forever for the trophies they won, but also for the good play. For Jahanbakhsh that is a very important thing. “For me it is important that wherever I play, I leave something of myself behind. I also tried to do that over the last three years at Feyenoord. In the case of my relationship and connection with the fans and within the club with players and staff “That’s always very important to me. This group of players, this year and especially last year, are very special.”
The attacker, who will leave Feyenoord at the end of this season, especially thanks the people in the background who work hard within the club. “I think all these guys are really worth remembering as players. And on top of that I would put Arne. He plays such a big role in this. The whole staff that we have, the coaching staff, the medical staff and all the people around the club. I would mention them all. They all play a big role in the success of the club.”
