The Eredivisie season is reaching its climax, and NEC Nijmegen finds itself in a thrilling three-way battle for the coveted third-place finish. This Sunday, in the penultimate round of fixtures, they face a significant challenge on the road against FC Groningen. Coach Dick Schreuder is under no illusions about the difficulty of the task, anticipating a fierce contest at De Euroborg.
Schreuder describes Groningen as a tough opponent to break down, primarily due to their high fitness levels and aggressive pressing style. While Groningen's form has dipped since the winter break, having previously sat above NEC in the table, Schreuder views this as a natural fluctuation for clubs of their stature. He draws parallels between NEC, Groningen, and other mid-table sides like Heerenveen, noting that one of these teams often emerges as the strongest in a given season. This year, that team is NEC, but Schreuder acknowledges the cyclical nature of such competition.
The earlier meeting between these two sides this season, a 2-0 victory for NEC in Nijmegen, provides a useful case study. Schreuder recalls that the first half was particularly challenging, largely because Groningen expended enormous energy from the kickoff. He points to their subsequent match against Telstar, where Groningen's intensity waned after about 55 minutes, as evidence of their physical approach. Schreuder sees NEC's ability to capitalize on opponents' fatigue as a key strength, a quality that has defined their campaign.
Indeed, NEC has built a reputation as a team that strikes decisively in the final half-hour of matches. This pattern was evident against Telstar, even though a late goal by Youssef El Kachati was disallowed. Schreuder pushes back against the narrative that NEC simply plays poorly in first halves. He argues that facing teams who give everything from the start is inherently difficult, and that their late-game success stems from a combination of superior fitness and deliberate tactical planning.
The team will have to navigate the Groningen test without two players. Defender Ahmetcan Kaplan and forward Basar Önal are both unavailable for selection. Schreuder expresses hope that Önal might recover in time for the following week's fixture against Go Ahead Eagles. Despite these absences, the atmosphere within the squad is positive. Schreuder reports that training sessions are intense and competitive, though he jokes that they haven't quite reached the levels of drama seen at a club like Real Madrid. He praises the players' consistency, emphasizing the club's philosophy of training as you play.
The broader context of this match is the intense competition for third place. NEC is locked in a battle with Ajax and FC Twente, with all teams playing their fixtures simultaneously on Sunday. Schreuder admits that while he will try to focus solely on his own team's performance, he will likely be aware of the other scores. His primary message to the squad is to stick to their own game plan and not be distracted by events elsewhere.
For NEC, securing third place would represent a monumental achievement, potentially offering a pathway to European competition. The trip to Groningen is therefore more than just another game; it is a critical step in their season-long journey. The match will test their resilience, their tactical discipline, and their ability to perform under pressure against a physically demanding opponent.
Based on reporting from Voetbal International.
