Vitesse takes advantage of Cillessen blunder and own goal – ‘Ajax and AZ want Swede’

NEC-VIT | 65′ NEC shows off.

Under encouragement from the crowd, which also cheers on the so far particularly hapless goalkeeper Cillessen, NEC goes hunting for the tying goal.

Among other things, it leads to a chance for Landry Dimata and a free kick by Lasse Schöne ends up on the post.

NEC-VIT | 57′ Cillessen escapes

Where an earlier mistake cost a goal, this time NEC goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen got away with a scare. He just threw the ball into the feet of Kacper Kozlowski, who shot directly at the woodwork.

The ball went in for Vitesse moments later, but that situation was flagged for offside.

NEC-VIT | 13′ Rich History

It has been 100 years since the first league matches between Vitesse and NEC. In March 1923, Vitesse won both meetings: 1-2 in Nijmegen and 3-1 in Arnhem.

This is the 60th Gelderland derby in a premier league context. Of the previous 59 editions, Vitesse won 23, NEC 19 and the game ended undecided 17 times.

NEC-VIT | Tannane missing in Nijmegen

Oussama Tannane is missing from NEC’s squad. Tannane, who has not yet recovered from a hamstring injury, received a red card during the Gelderland derby in Arnhem earlier this season.

The Nijmegen side (W2-G4-V1) won 2 of their 7 premier league games this season without Tannane.

‘Ajax and AZ aces for Swedish midfielder’

Ajax and AZ are interested in Carl Gustafsson, according to Sweden’s Sportbladet. The 23-year-old midfielder currently plays for Kalmar FF. He made his debut for the national team in January.

In addition to Ajax and AZ, Club Brugge, Fiorentina and Eintracht Frankfurt are also said to be interested in Gustafsson. His contract expires at the end of 2023.

Quartet of Feyenoord players train externally: ‘Footballers are in excuses world’

More and more soccer players are looking outside the club for ways to become mentally and physically fitter and stronger. So do Feyenoorders Orkun Kökçü, Danilo, Lutsharel Geertruida and Mo Taabouni. They can be found several times a week in the gym of personal trainer Jordan Kroon. “We look for the upper limit, so they can make the difference with competitors,” he said.

“I would venture to say that soccer players are lazy.” Kroon does not mince words. In his gym in Rotterdam-Noord he receives top athletes from different sports on a daily basis. “As a result, soccer players are confronted with how hard especially individual athletes train for their goals.”

“Football players are used to working at the lower limit. So they’re not used to training hard and getting outside their comfort zone. Really getting deep into the red zone. When things aren’t going well, soccer players can also always point to external factors like the crowd, the coach and fellow players not delivering. Often you see that they are in a world of excuses.”