Injury-Hit Feyenoord Dominate Almere City with Early Blitz

Feyenoord closed their last Eredivisie match before the international break on a high, securing a 4-1 away victory against Almere City FC.

With several key players out, Feyenoord’s starting lineup saw some changes. Goalkeeper Justin Bijlow was sidelined after a brief return against AZ, and midfielders such as Antoni Milambo also missed the fixture. Up front, Feyenoord had to turn to fresh faces, including Anis Hadj Moussa and 18-year-old debutant Zepiqueno Redmond in the central forward role, with Julián Carranza, Santiago Gimenez, and Ayase Ueda unavailable due to injuries.

The Rotterdammers wasted no time, taking the lead in the third minute. South Korean midfielder Inbeom Hwang headed home from a cross by the dynamic Igor Paixão, who threatened Almere’s defence from his familiar left-wing position throughout the opening stages. Shortly after, Paixão almost doubled the score but was denied by Almere goalkeeper Nordin Bakker.

Almere City responded quickly, however, capitalising on a lapse in Feyenoord’s defence five minutes later. Gernot Trauner’s loose back pass allowed Almere’s Junior Kadile to intercept, setting up Kornelius Hansen for the equaliser. But Feyenoord regained control just moments later from a well-worked corner kick. Dávid Hancko’s clever backheel found Ramiz Zerrouki at the far post, who slotted it in to restore Feyenoord’s lead.

Mission completed ✅#almfey pic.twitter.com/r1JzGGqRCl

— Feyenoord Rotterdam (@Feyenoord) November 10, 2024

After the initial fireworks, the match settled, with Feyenoord holding back from a full assault on Almere City’s defence. Despite occasional shooting chances from Hwang and Paixão, neither team created significant opportunities until the 70th minute, when substitute Thomas Beelen took advantage of a loose ball in a goalmouth scramble to make it 3-1, putting the game firmly in Feyenoord’s hands.

From that point, Almere City’s resistance waned. Feyenoord sealed their win when Hadj Moussa scored his first Eredivisie goal, adding to his recent goal in the Champions League clash against Red Bull Salzburg. Redmond, despite a hardworking debut, missed out on a goal and was replaced by Luka Ivanusec after 68 minutes. As Feyenoord coasted to victory, they avoided further injury concerns, keeping them well-positioned as FC Twente and Ajax face off in their own competitive fixture later in the day.

Site Opinion

Feyenoord’s ability to perform despite a host of absences demonstrates the depth of Brian Priske’s squad and his ability to adapt under challenging conditions. This victory, built on a spectacular start, allowed young talents like Zepiqueno Redmond and Anis Hadj Moussa to gain valuable experience in the Eredivisie, a testament to the team’s long-term vision.

However, the high number of injuries in such a crucial phase of the season could pose a significant threat to Feyenoord’s consistency. Priske must hope that the international break will see key players return to fitness, as sterner challenges lie ahead in both domestic and European competitions. As the competition tightens, Feyenoord will need every player available to maintain their form and challenge for honours on all fronts.