Schreuder sticks with the system after heavy loss to Juventus

Coach Dick Schreuder says that his NEC players need more time to turn the tide after the heavy 5-0 defeat at Juventus in the Europa League. He sees no uncertainty in the squad, but emphasizes that the new players are having a hard time. The comments were given to Omroep Gelderland.

Recent results and European defeat

The Nijmegen side lost last week to SC Cambuur (3-0) and Feyenoord (1-3) and drew with Excelsior (2-2). In Turin they were already 3-0 down after 35 minutes against Juventus and the second half brought no improvement. Schreuder responded to the defeat with the comment that he sees no uncertainty in the squad.

According to the coach, a number of newcomers are still insufficiently acclimatized. “They don’t get the time to develop, they have to be ready immediately with European football, while for some the Eredivisie is already challenging,” he said. Many of these players come from under‑21 teams or from the second tier in Denmark.

Tactical conviction and future outlook

Schreuder denied that the overly attacking style of his team caused the heavy defeat. “We struggle to cover tightly at certain moments and that creates the 1-0,” he explained. Nevertheless, he continues to stick to his system and believes it worked well in earlier matches.

“We can actually do this as well. Don’t forget: not all opponents we face this season are at Juventus’ level. “I continue to believe in this system; they were a size too big tonight,” Schreuder said. Captain Tjaronn Chery noted that Juventus is an absolute top team. “They are stronger and faster. At certain moments you think you are holding your own, but that was not the case. We left the spaces too big and with their speed they are deadly at those moments,” he said.

NEC will have the chance on Thursday 15 October to take revenge in Europe in the home match against Bulgarian side Levski Sofia. The next domestic match is next Sunday at De Goffert against Go Ahead Eagles.