In any case, Vitesse will not go down in the history books as relegated with a negative balance. The Arnhem formation has reached two points in the Premier League after 31 rounds. The formation of coach Edward Sturing defeated Fortuna Sittard 3-2 on Sunday. That was the fifth victory of this season.
Although Vitesse had already been relegated last week due to the 18-point penalty for violations of the rules of professional football, no fewer than 17,826 spectators went to GelreDome. There was a somewhat strange atmosphere there. The high turnout was a show of support from the supporters and there was plenty of singing in the South Stand. But of course the match did not cause high emotions, rather an exuberant mood.
Changes
Sturing did not make the match against Fortuna Sittard a testing ground. But the Vitesse coach made several changes compared to the match with PSV (6-0 loss).
Nicolas Isimat-Mirin and Carlens Arcus started on the bench. Melle Meulensteen was absent due to groin complaints. Anis Hadj Moussa started again in the starting line-up. Giovanni van Zwam and Dominik Oroz also kicked off at the Arnhem club.
Goal Aaronson
Vitesse absolutely turned the refined practice match in GelreDome into a competition. There was fight and spirit in the Arnhem ensemble. Fortuna Sittard acted very dull.
After 22 minutes, the relegated side also took the lead. Paxten Aaronson, signed on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt in the winter, opened the score: 1-0 after preparatory work by Kacper Kozlowski with a nice cutting move.
No penalty
Vitesse was then denied a penalty after Mitchell Dijks clearly floored Hadj Moussa. Referee Hensgens waved everything away and the VAR did not even look at the moment, with Fortuna’s back not playing the ball at all.
Fortuna then started again and Vitesse did not rest with a lead. After 44 minutes, Inigo Cordoba headed home to make it 1-1.
Penalty kick
While Vitesse did not get a penalty before half time, the ball hit the spot for Fortuna just after half time. The Limburgers eagerly came out of the changing rooms and looked for the attack. Ramon Hendriks laid down striker Kaj Sierhuis after 48 minutes. Justin Lonwijk shot in uncontrollably from eleven meters: 1-2.
Vitesse was behind again in matchday 31. The supporters immediately got behind their club en masse, which resulted in the equalizer after 68 minutes. Marco van Ginkel completed successfully. The veteran had just come on and scored his fifth goal of the season. This makes him the top scorer of the Arnhem club.
Second goal Aaronson
The equalizer left Vitesse wanting more. And Aaronson once again underlined that he is a real reinforcement. The American scored the 3-2, after further preparatory work by Kozlowski, the other star on the Arnhem side.
Afterwards the audience still had to shudder. Van Zwam received his second yellow card and was able to intervene. However, Vitesse survived and the crowd stood on the benches afterwards.
Vitesse went from minus 1 to plus 2. It was all too late for salvation in the Premier League, but good for the atmosphere at the ailing club.
Vitesse – Fortuna Sittard 3-2
22. Aaronson 1-0, 44 Cordoba 1-1, 50. Lonwijk 1-2 (penalty), 68. Van Ginkel 2-2, 76. Aaronson 3-2
Yellow cards: Hendriks, Pinto (Vitesse), Duarte, Voet, Markelo (Fortuna Sittard)
Red card: Van Zwam (yellow twice)
Vitesse: Cream; Van Zwam, Oroz, Hendriks, Pinto; Aaronson, Tielemans (86. Arcus), Kozlowski; Hadj Moussa (60. Boutrah), Buitink (60. Van Ginkel), De Regt (81. Cornelisse).
Fortuna Sittard: Koopmans; Markelo (46. Da Cruz), Guth, Voet, Dijks; Lonwijk, Duarte (46. Rosier), Halilovic (79. Oratmangoen); Fofana, Córdoba (78. Peterson), Sierhuis.
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18:44
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90’+4′
End of second half
Vitesse is in the plus again. Edward Sturing’s team turned the deficit into a lead thanks to Van Ginkel and Aaronson, who also scored before halftime. Despite Giovanni van Zwam’s red card in the final phase, the already relegated team survived. Final score: 3-2.
86′
Siemen Voet is replaced by Jayden Braaf
86′
Mathijs Tielemans is replaced by Carlens Arcus
84′
Yellow card for Mica Pinto
81′
Red card (second yellow card) for Giovanni van Zwam
Will things still go wrong for Vitesse? Van Zwam torpedoes his direct opponent just outside the penalty area and receives his second yellow card. The home team has to continue with ten men.
81′
Gyan de Regt is replaced by Enzo Cornelisse
79′
Alen Halilovic is replaced by Ragnar Oratmangoen
78′
Iñigo Córdoba is replaced by Kristoffer Peterson
76′
3-2 GOAL by Paxten Aaronson!
Vitesse turns it all around against Fortuna Sittard. Aaronson makes his second of the afternoon after a measured cross from Kozlowski. The Gelredome celebrates the goal as if there is still something at stake for the home team.
68′
2-2 GOAL by Marco van Ginkel!
Vitesse’s substitutes do it. After an hour of play, Van Ginkel and Bouthra came in line. They also make the 2-2. Bouthra is the informant, Van Ginkel finishes it.
66′
In any case, it is not due to the support of the fans. The fans of the home team shout Vitesse forward en masse. It has not yet led to the 2-2. Fortuna has been dangerous a number of times since Lonwijk’s striking penalty, but the home team also threatened via Bouthra’s shot.
60′
Anis Hadj-Moussa is replaced by Amine Boutrah
60′
Thomas Buitink is replaced by Marco van Ginkel
50′
1-2 GOAL (Penalty) by Justin Lonwijk!
Sierhuis gets the penalty, Lonwijk can take it. The attacker shoots convincingly into the top corner. Room has no chance on the penalty.
48′
Yellow card for Ramon Hendriks
45′
Second half kicked off
Vitesse is virtually at zero points, but is there perhaps a positive number of points for the already relegated club? Score: 1-1.
46′
Deroy Duarte is replaced by Loreintz Rosier
46′
Nathangelo Markelo is replaced by Alessio Da Cruz
45’+2′
End of first half
Vitesse played frivolously and that led to a goal from Aaronson and then a great chance from De Regt. Then Fortuna took over the initiative. Just before half time, Córdoba nodded Dijks’ touched cross behind Vitesse keeper Room: 1-1.
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Tags: Great massive support grassroots Vitesse victory Fortuna results positive balance Speed
