Feyenoord will host Groningen in the semi-final of the KNVB Beker on Thursday. The winners of this matchup, defeated Cambuur 2-1 after extra time on Tuesday. It will take against NEC in the main event on April 21.
Preview (Feyenoord vs. Groningen)
Feyenoord defeated Almere City 2-0 in the Eredivisie on Sunday. They regaining their winning ways three days after suffering a heartbreaking penalty-shootout loss to Roma. The Rotterdam-based giants had a slow start at Yanmar Stadion, but thanks to a late brace from Newcastle United loanee Yankuba Minteh, they eventually sealed the victory in the closing 20 minutes. The team led by Arne Slot has now played nine league games without a loss. It included a perfect four wins from four without a reply in February. As a result, they have solidified their position in second place in the Eredivisie. They are eight points ahead of FC Twente in third and ten behind leaders PSV Eindhoven.
Feyenoord will focus on the KNVB Beker before facing PSV on Sunday. They have won the competition 13 times overall—only Ajax (20) have won more—but they haven’t won since 2018. Despite being unbeaten in their last seven meetings with the Pride of the North, four of those meetings have ended in draws, so Slot and company will need to be at the top of their game to cross the finish line on Thursday. They have a favorable semi-final tie against Groningen after defeating Utrecht, PSV, and AZ Alkmaar in the previous rounds.
Since then, they have struggled to adapt to life in the second tier. Nevertheless, Dick Lukkien’s team has had a strong start to 2024, winning six of their eight competitive games across all competitions, while also scoring 13 goals and giving up just two goals. The Pride of the North is presently sitting sixth in the Ereste Divisie standings and is very much in the running for a playoff spot.
Team News
Feyenoord is still without injured trio Gernot Trauner (hamstring), Gjivai Zechiel (knee), and Justin Bijlow (shin), in addition to Bart Nieuwkoop (sickness). Thomas van den Belt is still questionable due to a hip issue. Manager Slot is slated to return on Thursday and is anticipated to choose a strong starting lineup, with both Minteh and Calvin Stengs pressing for recalls. Slot was unable to take the dugout last weekend owing to sickness. Star forward Santiago Gimenez, who has yet to open his KNVB Beker account, is expected to lead the line. In 32 games this season, the Mexican has scored 22 goals for Feyenoord, at least 15 more than any of his colleagues.
Regarding Groningen, they announced on Tuesday that midfielder Daleho Irandust was leaving. He went back to his home country of Sweden to join IF Brommapojkarna. In addition, as they continue to heal from injuries, the visitors will have to make due without former Manchester United player Noam Emeran and left-back Wegher Prins. In Prins’s absence, Isak Dybvik Maatta is expected to stay on the left side of a back four, while Thom van Bergen may accompany top scorer Romano Postema—who has 10 goals this season—upfront.
Feyenoord 3-0 Groningen
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