Champions League
Feyenoord misses every chance at De Kuip vs Inter in the Champions League
Feyenoord suffered a pointless defeat on Tuesday evening in the Champions League, when Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side was beaten 0‑3 at De Kuip by Internazionale. The Italian champions convinced with goals from Yann Bisseck, Francesco Pio Esposito and Piotr Zielinski.
Match Progress and Tactical Choices
The Rotterdam side could barely make a fist during the match. Van Bronckhorst placed Thijs Kraaijeveld centrally at the back instead of Tsuyoshi Watanabe, who was not fully fit. Inter started with Marcus Thuram and Pio Esposito in attack, because Lautaro Martínez was missing due to injury. Feyenoord was already looking at a deficit after eight minutes. Yann Bisseck came forward and struck with his left foot into the far corner for 0‑1. Luciano Valente protested against an alleged foul on the scorer, but referee Glenn Nyberg and the VAR did not intervene. The home team then struggled to find openings against the Italian defence. After just over half an hour, Anis Hadj Moussa had his first serious chance, after he had cut out two opponents and shot from a difficult angle. Goalkeeper Josep Martínez prevented the equaliser with a save. When Feyenoord seemed to be playing better, Inter struck again. A shot from Djed Spence was blocked, after which Pio Esposito headed close to the second post. The striker hit Mármol in the air and saw his ball go under the bar for 0‑2. Feyenoord tried to do something before the break, but missed the precision. Nacho Ferri received the ball after a promising through pass, but could not control it well, while Givairo Read shot high with his left foot. The Rotterdamers went into the break with a slight possession advantage but a two‑goal deficit. At halftime Van Bronckhorst replaced Charles Vanhoutte with the nineteen‑year‑old Tobias van den Elshout, but a comeback did not materialise. In the 54th minute Piotr Zielinski decided the match by shooting with his left foot from the inside of the post for 0‑3. Ernst had no answer to the Polish midfielder's effort. With half an hour left, Van Bronckhorst brought on the seventeen‑year‑old Jerayno Schaken and Sem Steijn, but Feyenoord could not come back. Inter came close to a fourth goal via Esposito, but his strike was ruled out for minimal offside.
Implications for the Group Stage
Feyenoord remains stuck on three points from four Champions League matches and must give everything against FC Porto, Viking FK, Galatasaray and RB Leipzig to reach the knockout stage. Inter moves to six points thanks to the win in Rotterdam. After the home victory over Como, Feyenoord only managed a draw against Telstar and then lost to PSV (1‑1), Real Betis (0‑1) and Fortuna Sittard (1‑1) before this match. The hope of a shock against the Italian champions was fueled by the beats of DJ Paul Elstak, but Inter remained unmoved. Inter had something to set right after the lost derby against AC Milan and came to De Kuip determined. Feyenoord could barely find a gap in the tight defence; Inter's chances often led directly to danger. After the break Van Bronckhorst introduced the youngest starting eleven ever in Rotterdam's Champions League history with Tobias van den Elshout. Nicolò Barella, after a throw‑in, found space to let Piotr Zielinski play, after which the Polish midfielder found Ernst too powerful with a hard shot into the short corner. Sem Steijn, the seventeen‑year‑old Jerayno Schaken and Tsuyoshi Watanabe remained on the bench due to minor complaints, allowing Thijs Kraaijeveld to debut. In three weeks FC Porto is the next opponent in De Kuip, followed by away matches against Viking FK and Galatasaray. RB Leipzig (at home) is on 27 January the last opponent in the group stage. Before that date Feyenoord awaits an away match against SC Heerenveen in the Eredivisie on Sunday, after which the international break begins.
Inter's psychological edge looms over Feyenoord in Rotterdam
Player Ratings
Goalkeeper Tjark Ernst received a report score of 4.5. Givairo Read received a score of 5. Thijs Kraaijeveld was rated 6. Mika Mármol got 5.5 points. Javi López received a score of 5. Charles Vanhoutte received a rating of 5. Gjivai Zechiël got 5.5 points. Oussama Targhalline received a score of 6. Anis Hadj Moussa received a score of 5. Nacho Ferri received a rating of 4.5. Luciano Valente received a score of 5. One of the youngest players, Tobias van den Elshout, received a report score of 5.5. Sem Steijn received no score (x). Jerayno Schaken received no score (x). Tsuyoshi Watanabe received no score (x). Mats Deijl received no score (x). Coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst received a report score of 5.5.