Feyenoord kicked off their Eredivisie campaign in confident fashion, easing past NAC Breda 2-0 at De Kuip. Despite fielding a rotated squad to preserve key players for next week’s crucial Champions League qualifier against Fenerbahce, the Rotterdam giants showed no signs of slowing down as goals from Sem Steijn and Ayase Ueda sealed a comfortable victory.
Tactical Tweaks Pay Off for Van Persie
Just days after a hard-fought 2-1 win over Fenerbahce in the first leg of their Champions League third-round qualifier, Feyenoord manager Robin van Persie opted to shuffle his starting XI. The decision proved effective, as the fresh legs provided the energy needed to dispatch NAC without overextending his regular starters.
Defender Givairo Read replaced Jordan Bos, while Luciano Valente and Oussama Targhalline took over midfield duties from Hwang In-Beom and Quinten Timber. On the left flank, Gaoussou Diarra stepped in for Leo Sauer, showcasing Feyenoord’s squad depth and versatility.
Fast Start Sets the Tone
Feyenoord wasted no time asserting their dominance. Within just three minutes, new club captain and last season’s Eredivisie top scorer Sem Steijn curled in a sublime free-kick to give the home side an early lead. The quick goal rocked NAC Breda, who struggled to find their rhythm for much of the opening half.
Though NAC managed to carve out some space as the half progressed, they rarely threatened the Feyenoord goal. The hosts nearly doubled their advantage before the break, with Steijn and Valente both coming close to converting promising opportunities.
Ueda Opens His Account as Feyenoord Seal the Points
Shortly after the interval, Feyenoord put the match to bed. Following a defensive lapse by NAC goalkeeper Danijel Bielica that almost gifted Anis Hadj Moussa a goal, Japanese international Ayase Ueda calmly slotted home in the 50th minute to make it 2-0.
With the result seemingly secure and a trip to Istanbul on the horizon, Feyenoord eased off in the final stages. The remaining minutes saw few chances for either side, with the home team managing the game professionally to preserve energy and avoid injury.
Focus Shifts to Champions League Showdown
The win marks a solid start to the Eredivisie season for Feyenoord, who now turn their attention back to Europe. They’ll travel to Turkey for the decisive second leg against Fenerbahce on Tuesday, where a spot in the Champions League playoff round is up for grabs.
Meanwhile, NAC Breda will aim to regroup quickly as they prepare to host Fortuna Sittard next Sunday.
