European Cups
Arsenal, Arteta discusses project and Champions League
Views: 25
Robin Van Persie spoke at a press conference on the eve of Inter-Feyenoord, valid for the second leg of the Champions League round of 16.
The new coach of the Dutch team presented the San Siro challenge, which promises to be very difficult to turn into a triumph, but the red and white team will still try.
Feyenoord, Van Persie’s Words
A couple of weeks ago, Feyenoord had a magical evening against Milan. Will it take even more magic, do you believe?
“That’s the beauty of sports, of football. There is always hope, even if people believe it is very small. Paixao? It’s a shame, he had a little problem: it can always happen.”
Regarding the match against Milan, have you experienced similar miracles as a player?
“I won’t talk about my experience, there are many examples of teams that have surprised. We would like to surprise too, the feeling is that it may be impossible, but I don’t think it’s true: we will have our chances and we must be strong.”
You didn’t play this weekend, Inter did.
“We trained on Saturday and Sunday. I watched the game against Monza, it’s the Inter we know: it’s nice to see them play, they always do great things in attack, defense, transition. It’s a great challenge, but we will have chances: they have their way of playing and it works very well, but even against a very strong team, we will always have opportunities and we have studied where they can get.”
Calvin Stengs and Mattia Zaccagni (PHOTO BY SALVATORE FORNELLI)
Will you think about the match on Sunday against Twente?
“We always think about tomorrow. You plan everything, but the first goal is always the match the next day, even in terms of minutes to give to the players.”
Will the returnees be starters?
“We’ll see, we are happy that they have returned. Maybe someone will debut, there are young players who have not debuted yet.”
Will Paixao’s absence be long?
“I don’t think so, but we will see in the next few days.”
Still facing the emergency.
“My players must believe, over the years I have seen even crazier things. The context is clear, it’s a very complicated challenge but we don’t hide from it. It is what it is, the players we have now I think are very strong and show it every day. We will challenge Inter with these players, it doesn’t make sense to think of too many scenarios: I trust the group.”
Rome, Italy 07.11.2023: Feyenoord during warm-up before the Uefa Champions League 2023-2024 football, group E, between SS Lazio vs Feyenoord at Olympic Stadium in Rome.
Will you change the players’ positions?
“Obviously, it’s always better to play someone in their position, in their role. It’s not always possible, as we saw last week with Paixao: it’s like a puzzle, you have to consider physicality and availability.”
Have you understood the problem with these injuries?
“It can always happen, in every training session the boys give their all. It’s a risk that is always there, Paixao has played a lot this season and it’s very special that he has played so much: it’s normal that he could get injured. If he could, I would have played him.”
What are the difficulties with Ivanusec?
“Good question, during my course I saw a Croatia-Netherlands game: he played very well and I thought ‘what a player’. Then he went to Feyenoord, I always thought he was strong, but the question is if he can play at this level. There are many things, from form to character, that are decisive.”
How do you convince the players that the feat is possible?
“First of all, don’t follow the press. It doesn’t help: it wants to make you believe that this game is already lost, yet we still have to play it. It’s a huge challenge and we know that: I’m not saying we will definitely win, but you have to understand that we will give our all and we believe in the comeback. We can perform a miracle, that’s the beauty of sports: that’s why we are all here and why tomorrow 4,600 fans will come from Rotterdam.”
If you don’t succeed, what would satisfy you?
“As I see it, there are no wins, draws, losses. I think about how we present ourselves, our attitude, the confidence we have in ourselves. We will give everything and that’s the most important thing, not winning or losing.”
Photo Source: Feyenoord.com
Are you satisfied with what you have seen in Rotterdam?
“At the beginning yes, in the first half yes. Then we slumped. I’m not asking for a win, it’s not that simple: there are many things to do during a match and we want to focus on what we need to do.”
In the first leg, it seemed like a 4-2-1-3 and it surprised. Should we expect the same offensive lineup?
“What you can expect is a team that will be united, that will attack together, defend together. In the end, it’s not the formation that makes the difference, whether it’s a 4-4-2 or a 4-3-3. We need to focus on how we are on the field and that’s where we can have an influence.”
Inter conceded two goals against Monza, does that give you confidence?
“Well, in the Champions League they have only conceded one. We watched the game and prepared, without doing anything different from usual. We studied every aspect of Inter, but also of ourselves: we are focused on our opportunities. How Inter plays is known, but they also sometimes leave spaces and there we must be good. Even against us, Inter had a few chances, we had one or two: against these very strong teams it is important to score, as we saw with Milan. In that game, Feyenoord struggled, but then it also needs the game to turn in our favor. That didn’t happen in Rotterdam.”
European Cups
Roma-Viktoria Plzen 1-2, Czech surprise at the Olimpico – Football style
Views: 29
Tonight, at the Olimpico, the third day of the Europa League was animated by the Roma-Viktoria Plzen match: here’s how it went.
Not even a minute in, Artem Dobvyk almost scores a goal against the away team, but the shot is too central.
The match starts with a few too many errors from Hermoso and Wesley, and a proactive attitude from Viktoria Plzen, who repeatedly tries to score in the first few minutes, forcing Mile Svilar to make a miraculous save.
The visitors press high, while Roma tries to regroup mainly relying on Soulé, who shoots centrally. Shortly after, with determination and speed, Viktoria Plzen takes the lead thanks to a goal from Adu, who also eludes Svilar’s defense. A negative trend for Roma as, just 3 minutes after the first goal, they concede again through Souaré.
25 minutes into the game, Roma is losing at home 2-0. Speed is needed, so Gasperini sends Rensch to warm up on the sidelines, while El Shaarawy prepares to come on. Meanwhile, Koné raises the technical level of the game with feints and ball possession that make us hope he won’t leave for Juventus in January in an exchange for Koopmeiners.
At the 30th minute, Ziolkowski is substituted by Il Faraone. One minute later, Wesley attempts a through ball but the opposing goal remains unbreached. The goal for the Magica must be to score at least one goal before the end of the first half. At the 40th minute, the situation is still complex: meanwhile, Koné is down and receiving treatment, and Dybala tries to change the tide with a very wide shot that is easily blocked. El Shaarawy also does his job with a shot too high over the crossbar, but the attempt is commendable.
The real opportunity comes at the 45th minute, with the corner taken by Dybala ending up directly in the hands of goalkeeper Jedlicka. The last act of the first half is a mistimed cross attempted at the last minute by Wesley. But the Brazilian still has a long way to go to find coordination.
The second half begins with a new substitution: Niccolò Pisilli comes on for Manu Koné. An audacious substitution that raises doubts about the condition of the French midfielder.
At the 53rd minute, the referee checks for a possible penalty and awards it to Roma, giving them a great opportunity to close the gap of two goals. The Joya doesn’t disappoint: he shoots to the right corner of the goal, cool as usual. With Roma 1-2, El Shaarawy also tries to shake things up, while on the sidelines Gasperini prepares two aces: Ndicka and Bailey.
In this second half, Wesley appears more focused on the goal, as if the coach had reprimanded him in the locker room. Roma, however, continues to lack precision, with Soulé missing a good shot from outside the box at the 65th minute.
In the end, only Bailey comes on, replacing Celik. While for the away team, number 24 Abel comes on. Gasperini goes all in, choosing to also replace Dovbyk with Ferguson. And the surplus of attackers also requires the change Soulé-Ndicka.
Despite the coach’s efforts, Ferguson fails to make an impact in this game, replicating the clumsy movements of Dovbyk seen at the end of the first half.
For Plzen, Spacil and Adu come off, while Bello and Zeljkovic come on. At the 86th minute, Bailey also tries his luck with a very long shot that misses.
The balance of this match is that Roma still has a long road ahead of them, requiring strict discipline to find the precision and composure in front of goal that they often tend to lose, both in the league and in Europe. Dybala confirms himself as the team’s savior, despite his structural weaknesses, and also the good Svilar, who is not to blame for those conceded goals.
Some days of hard work now await the Giallorossi.
European Cups
“I don’t believe, it doesn’t exist. They take the field, trust in their team and coach” – Soccer style
Views: 23
Tonight, at the Olimpico, the third day of the Europa League was characterized by the Roma-Viktoria Plzen match: here’s how it went.
Not even a minute in, Artem Dobvyk almost scores a goal against the visiting team, but the shot is too central.
The game starts with a few too many mistakes from Hermoso and Wesley, and a proactive attitude from Viktoria Plzen, who repeatedly try to score in the early minutes, forcing Mile Svilar to make a miraculous save.
The visitors press high, while Roma tries to regroup mainly relying on Soulé, who shoots centrally. Shortly after, with determination and speed, Viktoria Plzen takes the lead thanks to a goal by Adu, who also eludes Svilar’s defense. A negative trend for Roma as, only 3 minutes after the first goal, they concede again through Souaré.
25 minutes into the game, Roma is losing at home 2-0. Speed is needed, so Gasperini sends Rensch to warm up on the sidelines, while El Shaarawy prepares to come on. Meanwhile, Koné raises the technical level of the game with feints and ball possession that make us hope he won’t leave for Juventus in January in a swap deal for Koopmeiners.
At the 30th minute, Ziolkowski is substituted by the Pharaoh. A minute later, Wesley attempts a through ball but the opposing goal remains inviolate. The goal for the Magica must be to score at least one goal before the end of the first half. At the 40th minute, the situation is still complex: in the meantime, Koné is down and receiving treatment, and Dybala tries to change the course of the game with a very wide shot that is easily blocked. El Shaarawy also does his job with a shot too high above the crossbar, but the attempt is commendable.
The real chance comes at the 45th minute, with a corner taken by Dybala that goes directly into the hands of goalkeeper Jedlicka. The last act of the first half is a mistimed cross attempted by Wesley. But the Brazilian still has a long way to go to find coordination.
The second half begins with a new substitution: Niccolò Pisilli replaces Manu Koné. A bold substitution that raises doubts about the condition of the French midfielder.
At the 53rd minute, the referee checks for a possible penalty and awards it to Roma, who have a great opportunity to reduce the two-goal difference. The Jewel doesn’t disappoint: he shoots into the bottom right corner of the goal, cool as always. With Roma 1-2, El Shaarawy also tries to shake things up, while Gasperini prepares two aces up his sleeve on the sidelines: Ndicka and Bailey.
In this second half, Wesley appears more focused on the goal, as if the coach had reprimanded him in the locker room. Roma, however, continues to be imprecise, with Soulé missing a good long-range shot at the 65th minute.
In the end, only Bailey comes on, replacing Celik. While for the visiting team, number 24 Abel comes on. Gasperini goes all in, choosing to also replace Dovbyk with Ferguson. And the surplus of attackers also requires the substitution of Soulé with Ndicka.
Despite the coach’s efforts, Ferguson fails to make an impact in this game, replicating the clumsy movements of Dovbyk seen at the end of the first half.
For Plzen, Spacil and Adu exit, while Bello and Zeljkovic come on. At the 86th minute, Bailey also attempts a long shot that misses.
The outcome of this match is that Roma still has a long way to go in terms of strict discipline to find the precision and composure in front of goal that they often tend to lose, both in the league and in Europe. Dybala confirms himself as the team’s savior, despite his structural weaknesses, and also the good Svilar, who cannot be blamed for those goals conceded.
Some days of hard work now await the Giallorossi.
European Cups
“I think the approach to the game was right. Thirty minutes of high level, then we have to suffer a bit.” – Soccer style
Views: 18
In the 3rd matchday of the Europa League group stage, Steaua Bucharest-Bologna ends 1-2, with goals from Odgaard and Dallinga deciding the match: first win for the red and blue team.
In the 3rd matchday of the Europa League group stage, Steaua Bucharest-Bologna ends 1-2, with goals from Odgaard and Dallinga deciding the match: a great performance tonight by Italiano’s team.

Steaua Bucharest-Bologna 1-2, first win for the red and blue team in Europe: decisive goals from Odgaard and Dallinga
In the 3rd match of the Europa League group stage, Steaua Bucharest-Bologna ends 1-2, with Odgaard and Dallinga’s goals securing the first win for the red and blue team in Europe, a victory dedicated to their coach Vincenzo Italiano, who was not on the bench tonight. A Bologna team that is back on track for qualification, with an impressive performance.
The red and blue team start strong, showing initiative in the Romanian area, and in the 9th minute they take the lead: on an action by Freuler, Dallinga sets up Odgaard who puts the ball into the net for 1-0 to Bologna. Three minutes later, the red and blue team double their lead: taking advantage of a mistake in the Steaua defense, Dallinga scores with a powerful shot, making it 2-0 and practically sealing the game. In the 33rd minute, a goal by Orsolini for 3-0 is disallowed for offside. Bologna dominates the game, but Steaua Bucharest comes close to scoring twice, only to be denied by Skorupski on both occasions. The first half ends 2-0 in favor of Bologna.
The second half starts with Bologna posing a threat with Orsolini and Lykogiannis, but Steaua Bucharest pulls one back: on a Romanian attack, Vitik heads the ball to clear the area, allowing Birligea to beat Lucumì and Skorupski to make it 2-1, reopening the game. However, Bologna remains composed, coming close to a third goal with Dallinga, but the Romanian goalkeeper is up to the task. The end sees Bologna close to scoring a third goal, first with Orsolini, then Odgaard, and finally Orsolini hitting the post. After 5 minutes of stoppage time, the referee blows the final whistle to confirm the victory for Bologna.
The standout player without a doubt is Dallinga, truly unstoppable tonight, but it’s the entire Bologna team that has really clicked, looking like the team that made history for the club last year, as they did tonight in Bucharest.
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