Feyenoord wash away European hangover with win at Utrecht and can smell national title

Leaders Feyenoord can start to get ready for the championship party at Coolsingel. The Rotterdammers won 3-1 against FC Utrecht on Sunday evening on the net-fringed pitch.

Kickoff at De Kuip was some 65 hours after Feyenoord’s European elimination. Coach Arne Slot’s team had to go deep against AS Roma on Thursday night and was eliminated after an extension (4-1). But anyone who thought the disappointment or fatigue would carry over into the match against Utrecht was wrong.

Feyenoord, which started without Gernot Trauner (sick) Quilindschy Hartman (suspended) and Alireza Jahanbakhsh (rest), seized the initiative in the opening stages and pressed Utrecht back.

That resulted after fifteen minutes in Sebastian Szymanski’s opening goal. The Polish midfielder shot in after good passing from the right back Marcus Pedersen, who came up with the ball.

And although Utrecht threatened at times (shots by Othman Boussaid and Anastasios Douvikas went wide), Feyenoord remained the stronger team in the first half. But it wasn’t until after halftime that they had big chances for the second goal. Santiago Giménez initially missed with Utrecht goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas.

In the 54th minute, it did hit the mark for the Mexican, who headed in after Barkas had to concede a rebound on an attempt by Orkun Kökçü. In the minutes before, the upcoming title was already being celebrated at De Kuip. “Stand up for the champion,” sang the Feyenoord fans.

In fact, Feyenoord can hardly escape their first title since 2017. The lead over PSV, who dealt with Ajax in a moderate topper earlier in the day, is eight points. In the last four games Feyenoord only has to face teams from the right-hand row: Excelsior, Go Ahead Eagles, FC Emmen and Vitesse.

Danilo could have made the score look even better for Feyenoord, but the substitute shot against Barkas from close range. At the other end, Douvikas shot into the side netting from an awkward angle, having already passed Feyenoord goalkeeper Justin Bijlow.

Jahanbakhsh was allowed to join in as a substitute for just under 15 minutes and needed only four minutes to shoot in the 3-0. The Iranian placed the ball into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area.

The party of singing Feyenoord fans fell silent for a brief moment in the closing stages when Utrecht attacker Bas Dost headed in the 3-1 from a cross. But the tenth consecutive league victory was never in danger for the almost certain champion.