‘No Business’ – Former Dutch International Rubbishes Feyenoord’s Champions League Hopes

With seven matches remaining in the Champions League, Feyenoord’s hopes of progressing appear bleak.

At least, that’s the view of former striker Pierre van Hooijdonk, who has been outspoken in his assessment of the Rotterdam side’s European campaign. Following a heavy defeat at the hands of Bayer Leverkusen, van Hooijdonk believes Feyenoord should focus entirely on the Eredivisie and abandon any realistic ambitions in Europe this season.

“This Feyenoord has absolutely no business in the Champions League at the moment,” the former Nottingham Forest striker told Dutch outlet VI. “Focus completely on the Dutch competition, make sure you finish in the top two, 35 million in the pocket, and continue to build.

“You don’t have to worry about this anymore. They will certainly pick up points here and there, but I don’t see them advancing to the next round. It can all still grow, but right now, it’s simply not enough.”

Van Hooijdonk, who represented Feyenoord in the Champions League during his playing days, was candid in his preference for domestic success over European competition, stating that there is little joy in participating in a tournament where victory seems unattainable.

“If I had to choose between matches in the Eredivisie and the Champions League, I would prioritise the national competition. I also played in the Champions League with Feyenoord. There is nothing worse than participating in a tournament that you will never win. As a player, I didn’t really like it, and this squad must be feeling the same way.”

His words were echoed by former Feyenoord player Royston Drenthe, who agreed with van Hooijdonk’s analysis and pointed to the need for more development within the team. “I agree with Pierre. The team is still missing a few key players on this big stage. There’s room for improvement, but that takes time. And in this high-pressure environment, time is a luxury. The boys on the pitch need to stay grounded.”

Feyenoord entered the match against Bayer Leverkusen with a glimmer of hope, seeking to recover from a shaky start to their season. However, their hopes of creating a memorable European night at De Kuip were swiftly dashed as the Bundesliga side demonstrated their superiority from the opening whistle.

Leverkusen, under the guidance of Xabi Alonso, came into the match as a formidable opponent. Last season, they claimed their first-ever Bundesliga title and were narrowly defeated in the Europa League final. It didn’t take long for them to assert their dominance in Rotterdam.

Feyenoord’s tactical setup was a major talking point before the game, with speculation over how they would line up under head coach Brian Priske. Some suggested a 4-4-2 formation, while others leaned towards a more traditional 4-3-3. However, any discussion about tactics became irrelevant within the first five minutes, when a careless pass from Ramiz Zerrouki allowed Florian Wirtz to score his first Champions League goal and put Leverkusen ahead.

That early blow rattled Feyenoord, but they tried to mount a response, driven by the industrious efforts of debutant Hwang In-Beom. Yet, any hope of a comeback was swiftly extinguished by Leverkusen’s clinical finishing. Jeremie Frimpong created two more goals before half-time, assisting Álex Grimaldo and Wirtz once again. Feyenoord’s misery was compounded when goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther misjudged a header from Edmond Tapsoba, resulting in an own goal and a devastating 4-0 lead for the Germans at the break.

The second half was a matter of damage limitation for Feyenoord, who pressed forward but failed to find the back of the net. Leverkusen remained in control, and the Rotterdam side could not find a way past goalkeeper Lukás Hrádecký. Despite the defeat, Feyenoord managed to avoid a worse embarrassment, staying clear of setting a new Dutch record for the heaviest defeat in the Champions League. That unfortunate title remains with Ajax, who were thrashed 6-1 by Napoli in 2022.

There was some consolation in the fact that Dinamo Zagreb’s 9-2 humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich spared Feyenoord from being the matchday’s biggest losers. With their Champions League campaign hanging by a thread, Feyenoord will be looking to bounce back in their next European fixture when they travel to face Girona on October 2. It will be another tough challenge, with the Spanish side boasting players like Arnaut Danjuma, Daley Blind, and Donny van de Beek in their squad.

Site Opinion: Time to Refocus

Feyenoord’s pitiful defeat against Leverkusen has highlighted the gulf in quality between the Dutch champions and Europe’s elite clubs. While Brian Priske’s side has shown potential on the domestic front, their shortcomings in the Champions League are glaring.

Pierre van Hooijdonk’s advice is both pragmatic and essential. But, should Feyenoord now prioritise domestic success, aiming for a top-two finish in the Eredivisie to secure guaranteed Champions League revenue next season? This is one game, and while they may not be a competitive force, the Champions League is huge exposure for players and the club.

It is time to refocus, but not give up entirely.