NOS Voetbal•vrijdag, 16:20
Final: ‘We can feel the lost title battle’
After the 0-0 draw on Thursday evening at last-place FC Volendam, the hangover was still palpable this morning among the selection of Feyenoord and trainer Arne Slot. Yes, Feyenoord was dominant. But the team never became really dangerous. And so the gap to leader PSV is once more nine points, with six matches still to be played in the Premier League.
“That hangover feeling may gradually disappear,” says coach Slot in the run-up to the Classic once morest Ajax on Sunday in De Kuip. “But not yet this morning, I think. We lost points once morest the number eighteen of the Premier League and definitively lost the championship to PSV. We should feel that for a while. Especially as reigning national champions.”
That does not mean that Feyenoord’s season is now lost, says Slot. “We still have a great cup final ahead of us once morest NEC. And matches like next Sunday, the Classic, are the most beautiful matches you can coach at the top.”
And yes, the points lead over Ajax in the rankings is considerable: 66 to 45 points. “But if you can’t beat the number eighteen of the Premier League, then it apparently doesn’t matter where an opponent is. Every match is difficult for us this season. We’ve been balancing on a very thin tightrope all year long, and they also fall out too often. That is partly why we no longer compete for the championship with PSV.”
What does he expect from the match? “That’s a good question, I find it difficult to say. We try to be prepared for every scenario. Ajax can put a lot of pressure, build up, but also play the long ball.”
Feyenoord-Ajax at NOS
On Sunday the kick-off will take place at 2.30 pm in De Kuip between Feyenoord and Ajax in the Classic. The match can be followed via a live blog on NOS.nl and in the NOS app, where a short summary of the match can also be seen shortly following the final whistle.
The duel can also be followed in Along the line on NPO Radio 1.
A more extensive summary can be seen during Studio Sport Eredivisie at 7 p.m. on NPO1.
Slot: “It is clear that there is a lot of unrest at Ajax, both on and off the field. But I have no pity for Ajax. Feyenoord has often experienced these kinds of phases in the club’s history. I might almost say: let them cling to Feyenoord’s story. But we certainly don’t have to feel sorry for Ajax.”
“I also think that Ajax still has good players. A player who has received a lot of criticism at Ajax, Kenneth Taylor, I think is an excellent player. And there are many more examples of that. I think the future will show that there are There are currently more good players at Ajax than we should believe according to prevailing opinion.”
Incidents
The past editions of the Classic were marred by countless incidents: anti-Semitic chants, interruptions due to fireworks, cups on the field, a head injury for Ajax player Davy Klaassen. Slot preaches that Sunday should mainly be regarding football. “I hope our fans will show their good side and support us in an incredible way. With singing and a lot of noise.”
Last night, Ajax coach John van ‘t Schip also looked ahead to the Classic.
Van ‘t Schip sees Ajax going to De Kuip as underdogs for the first time
