The Dutch season gets underway with a heavyweight clash between Feyenoord and PSV. Ahead of the Eredivisie’s imminent return, the champions host cup-holders PSV to decide who will start their 2023-24 campaign by winning the Dutch Super Cup.
Preview (Feyenoord vs PSV)
Feyenoord supporters had little time to rejoice after winning just their second league championship in the previous 24 years. Arne Slot’s Eredivisie-winning team had some members who decided their future lay elsewhere. The Rotterdam club finished the previous season seven points ahead of PSV, who finished in second place. As Brazilian striker Danilo left for Rangers and captain Orkun Kokcu joined Benfica, their goal of replicating such a feat in the upcoming season grew more difficult.
Many stars left De Kuip last summer as well. Slot, who has declined offers from other clubs to stay put, nonetheless managed to assemble a team. They play progressive football and profit from other teams’ mistakes in the title battle. Feyenoord has had success since making a comeback this summer, defeating PEC Zwolle, Club Brugge, and most recently Benfica. They have also drawn with Villarreal and Union Saint-Gilloise, but have lost 4-2 to Hoffenheim. Slot’s team has incorporated new additions Ramiz Zerrouki and Calvin Stengs during the preseason. They prepare to compete for championships both domestically and internationally.
The Eindhoven club hosted Nottingham Forest in Sunday’s final friendly game. They limited their Premier League opponents to only two shots while controlling much of the ball. A 1-0 victory made possible by Johan Bakayoko’s strike in the second half. Former Feyenoord technical director Peter Bosz has gained momentum thanks to previous wins over BW Linz, Augsburg, and FC Eindhoven, who are all neighbors. The ex-Ajax manager is looking to improve on the hit-and-miss 2022–23 season managed by Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Team News
Despite the departures of former captain Orkun Kokcu and center-forward Danilo from De Kuip this summer, Mexican striker Santiago Gimenez is still a member of the Feyenoord team for the time being. After making his preseason debut on Sunday, he should start up front against PSV. Gimenez scored 15 goals in the Eredivisie last season and added five more in the Europa League. Alireza Jahanbakhsh, who struck a second-half penalty in the most recent tie with Villarreal, may assist Gimenez, who scored the second goal in a 2-1 victory against Benfica. Calvin Stengs, who joined Feyenoord from Nice on a four-year contract after helping Antwerp win the Belgian championship while on loan there last season, is the club’s marquee acquisition this summer.
Despite the departures of co-top Eredivisie scorer Xavi Simons for Paris and Erick Gutierrez for Mexico, Peter Bosz was able to sign highly regarded winger Noa Lang, who will team up with De Jong in the opposition’s front three. Ibrahim Sangare is still available to Peter Bosz despite other clubs clamoring for his signature this summer. The Ivorian should manage PSV’s Rotterdam engine room.
PSV should be a more united team in the coming months thanks to a wise management choice made this summer, but Dutch champions Feyenoord are far from done yet. Arne Slot’s team still has plenty of tools to attack their opponents’ defense, and with home advantage on their side, they are poised to win the first trophy of the new season despite losing their captain and playmaker.
Feyenoord 2 – 1 PSV
For more football previews, click here
