Feyenoord trainer Robin van Persie has to do a lot of puzzling with his set-up against Fenerbahçe in the third preliminary round of the Champions League. The Rotterdammers miss a number of important players in the back.
“That will be a puzzle that we still have to lay,” Van Persie said at a press conference after the 4-0 exhibition match against VFL Wolfsburg. “We face a challenge in one or two positions.”
Feyenoord has to compete against Fenerbahçe without the injured Thomas Beelen, Gernot Trauner and Jeyland Mitchell. This makes Tsuyoshi Watanabe the only remaining central defender from the A-selection. Left back Gijs Smal cannot come into action on Wednesday due to an injury.
Against VfL Wolfsburg, the eighteen -year -old midfielder Thijs Kraaijeveld was put centrally in the back of Van Persie. “I thought Thijs played very well. It was very nice to see, both defensively and at the ball,” said the 41-year-old trainer.
“I thought he made good choices. We actually had the plan to play with someone else, but this is really nice for Thijs. He made it difficult for us.”
‘Thijs is a cool frog’
Van Persie sees Kraaijeveld as one of the players to solve the puzzle against Fenerbahçe. “He is one of the options, because we don’t have much in the back. Thijs is a cool frog and thought it was great to play in the back. I think he was also happy with it.”
The first game between Feyenoord and Fenerbahçe starts on Wednesday at 9 p.m. A week later the return in Istanbul is on the program. If Feyenoord wins the diptych, the team still has to survive a preliminary round to qualify for the Champions League main tournament.
Feyenoord Coach Robin van Persie Will have to do some Puzzling with his Lineup for the first leg Against Fenerbahçe in the Third Preliminary Round of the Champions League. The Rotterdam Team is Missing a Number of Important Players in the Back.
“That will be a puzzle we still have to put together,” Van Persie Said at a Press Conference After the 4-0 Practice Match Win Against VfL Wolfsburg. “We face a challenge in one or two positions.”
Feyenoord will have to face fenerbahçe Without The Injured Thomas Beelen, Gernot Trauner and Jeyland Mitchell. As a result, tsuyoshi watanabe is the only remoining central defender from the a-selection. Left Back Gijs Smal will also be unable to play on Wednesday due to an injury.
Against VfL Wolfsburg, Eighteen-Year-old Midfielder Thijs Kraaijeveld was placed in the center Back Position by van Persie. “I thought Thijs Played Very Well. It was very nice to see, Both Defensively and On The Ball,” Said the 41-Year-Old Coach.
“I thought he made good choices. We had the plan to play Someone Else there, but this is great for thijs. He made it difficult for us.”
‘Thijs is a cool customer’
Van Persie Sees Kraaijeveld as One of the Players to Solve The Puzzle Against Fenerbahçe. “He is one of the options, because we don’t have many in the back. Thijs is a cool customer and was happy to play in the back. I think he was happy with it too.”
The First Leg Between Feyenoord and Fenerbahçe Starts on Wednesday at 9 pm a week later, The Return is Scheduled in Istanbul. If Feyenoord Wins The Double Encounter, the Team Must Survive Another Preliminary Round to Qualify for the Main Tournament of the Champions League.