Vitesse started the new Eredivisie season with a three-pointer on Sunday afternoon. The Arnhem team visited PEC Zwolle with a minimal difference, too strong for the team of debuting head coach Art Langeler: 0-1. The absence of Oussama Tannane was striking. Vitesse’s eye-catcher was missing from Thomas Letsch’s team, as was the case against Dundalk on Thursday in the Conference League. The big blemish on the victory was the resignation of Riechedly Bazoer, who had to be replaced with an apparent ankle injury on the stroke of half-time.
In addition to Tannane, captain Danilho Doekhi was also missing, who was out on Thursday with an injury. The absence of Tannane and Doekhi was offset by the return of Eli Dasa. The defender returned from injury and started on the reserve bench. At PEC Zwolle only Yuta Nakayama was missing. The Japanese has only just returned to Zwolle after his participation in the Olympic Games. Mees de Wit was posted by Langeler as right back. De Wit was involved in the first moment of danger for Vitesse early in the game. The defender unintentionally headed a free kick, after which Alois Oroz was able to head. Kostas Lamprou, however, was well positioned and was able to save.
PEC Zwolle slowly crawled out of its shell after a wait-and-see start and was almost helped into the saddle after just under ten minutes of play by Markus Schubert, who had a moderate game resumption. The goalkeeper saw how Pelle Clement could take a shot, but corrected his mistake with a clever save. Schubert also had a save on a bet by Slobodan Tedic. The German goalkeeper made a poor impression from a footballing point of view, but was able to compensate for that with good goalkeeping on the line.
Halfway through the first half, Vitesse took the lead via Frederiksen. The Dane, who came over from Juventus, struck from a distance and found the bottom corner behind Lamprou: 0-1. PEC Zwolle seemed somewhat taken aback after the goal against and could not continue the good initial phase. On the side of Vitesse, Letsch had to deal with Bazoer’s failure. The defender had already needed care after a duel with Dean Huiberts and had to be replaced five minutes before half time. In the second half it was PEC Zwolle that came out of the dressing room best.
Langeler’s team appeared dangerously in front of Schubert’s goal early in the second company, but a cross from Clement was worked over the goal by Gervane Kastaneer. On the other hand, Lois tested Openda Lamprou with a hard shot. Even after an hour of play, Openda saw his bet being taken by the Greek goalkeeper of PEC. Langeler brought in a number of fresh forces in the final phase to force an equalizer, but was unable to do so. The last achievement of Chardi Landu’s match ended over Schubert’s goal.