Emmen passed Excelsior – New low in Groningen – Suspension Lukaku revoked

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Program playing round 30

Lens wins French league topper against AS Monaco thanks to Openda

RC Lens has won the topper against AS Monaco in the French league. The closest rival of frontrunner Paris Saint-Germain was too strong for the number 4 on their own field, 3-0, where Myron Boadu was allowed to substitute in the 77th minute.

Loïs Openda, a former Vitesse player, scored two goals for Lens. Adrien Thomasson determined the final score after 56 minutes, on a pass from Openda. Lens has nine points less than PSG, which won 2-1 at Angers on Friday night. The clubs have six more games to play.

Real Madrid does what it needs to do with win over Celta de Vigo

Real Madrid further increased its pressure on frontrunner FC Barcelona. Spain’s No. 2 defeated Celta de Vigo 2-0 at their own Bernabéu.

With the win, Real reduced its deficit on Barcelona to eight points. The rival from Catalonia, which has conceded points in its last two league matches, still hosts No. 3 Atlético Madrid on Sunday.

Given the busy schedule, it was not surprising that Real took it easy against mid-table Celta. The first shot on goal could only be recorded three minutes before halftime, but it was an instant hit. Vinícius Júnior laid the ball back to Marco Asensio, who shot 1-0 via an opponent. Three minutes after halftime, Éder Militão headed in a corner from Asensio for the 2-0.

With the draw, Excelsior is equal in points with Emmen, but the latter club from Drenthe has passed the Rotterdammers on goal difference in the league table. Emmen is now fifteenth and virtually safe and Excelsior is in sixteenth place, good for a spot in the promotion/relegation playoffs at the end of the season. Vitesse must continue to worry.

VIT-EXC | Ready in Arnhem

In the fight against relegation, Vitesse repelled an attack by Excelsior. Although plenty happened especially in the second half, no goals fell in Arnhem.

The numbers thirteen and sixteen in the premier league initially made a dragon of a match, with a first half to quickly forget. But immediately after halftime the game came fully to life, with a phase in which Stijn van Gassel miraculously kept the visitors on their feet.

Again some excitement for a moment. After a flashy combination, Kacper Kozlowski lays and the sliding Kik Pierie touches the ball with his arms. Not a penalty kick, judges Sander van der Eijk. Vitesse and the Arnhem crowd clearly disagree.

Kik Pierie gets the ball from Kacper Kozlowski against his arm

VIT-EXC | 75′ Continues to struggle

After a nice opening phase of the second half, Arnhem is once again struggling. The crowd is not spoiled.

Vitesse does try, but Excelsior shows nothing at all. Although Peer Koopmeiners is making an attempt now. About.

Excelsior’s last goal outside Woudestein dates from Nov. 13, 2022, when Kenzo Goudmijn opened the scoring at De Kuip against Feyenoord (5-1 loss).

Tadic still Ajacied next year? ‘We really need a plan, it has to be right’

Dusan Tadic grabbed the championship trophy every season since his arrival at Ajax. But this year everything is different. Two consolation prizes remain for the Amsterdammers this season: second place in the premier league and the KNVB Cup. “That hurts,” says the captain ahead of the clash with PSV.

Tadic has no doubts: ‘I want Ajax to win and I’ll do anything for that’

VIT-EXC | 49′ Magnificent save from Van Gassel

The opening phase of the second half is already almost more enjoyable than the entire first. After some moments in front of the Excelsior goal, the home team is close to a goal. From a corner Melle Meulensteen heads high towards the goal, but Van Gassel hits the ball out of the goal via the crossbar. Moments later, the goalkeeper saved on a Kacper Kozlowski effort from close range.

It is halftime in Arnhem, where Vitesse is the better team but is unable to create good chances. Shots from distance pose no problem for Excelsior goalkeeper Van Gassel.

VIT-EXC | 24′ Still no prospect of special away goal

Excelsior failed to score in the previous 6 away duels in the premier league and the Kralingers won’t come close in Arnhem either. This century there was a team that remained dry in the premier league for more than 6 away duels in a row: Willem II in the period August-December 2007 (8).

At the other end, Vitesse was slightly more dangerous. Van Ginkel headed over and Excelsior goalkeeper Van Gassel was alert to shots by Bero and others.

Noah Naujoks (l) and Maximilian Wittek (r)

Suspension Lukaku for ‘provocative cheering’ revoked after racism

Romelu Lukaku’s suspension in the Italian Cup tournament has been revoked. Internazionale’s Belgian striker received two yellow cards in the game with Juventus early this month, and Lukaku’s exclusion caused much controversy.

Lukaku equalized against Juventus in injury time with a penalty and then received his second yellow card for provocative cheering toward Juventus fans. He put his finger to his lips and then shouted something toward the supporters, who had been guilty of racism, including in the form of jungle noises.

“I am very satisfied with the decision of the association president,” Lukaku said on Inter’s website. “He dealt with the matter very much on feelings. Thanks to his intervention, justice has taken place. This also sends a strong signal to the entire sports world, and even beyond. This shows that there is a will to fight against racism.”

The lifting of the suspension will allow Lukaku to compete in Wednesday’s home game against Juventus. The first game ended 1-1.

HEE-EMM | 59′ GOAL SC HEERENVEEN!

Sydney van Hooijdonk shoots the penalty kick neatly into the corner and, with his 15th goal of the season, is now only top scorer in the premier league.

Sydney’s father Pierre van Hooijdonk won the top scorer title in the premier league once: in 2001/2002 as a Feyenoord player (24 goals). The last Heerenveen player to claim the title was Alfred Finnbogason in 2013/2014 (29 goals).

sc Heerenveen-FC Emmen 2-1

Van Hooijdonk co-top scorer

With Anastasios Douvikas and Xavi Simons, Van Hooijdonk is now co-scorer of the premier league with 14 goals. Van Hooijdonk scored each of Heerenveen’s last 7 premier league goals and scored the opening goal most often in the premier league this season (9 times, Douvikas 7 times).