Feyenoord seems to be switching to a new system next season: 1-3-4-3. The Rotterdammers played their first practice match of the 2024/25 season last Saturday, in which the selection of trainer Brian Priske was too strong for FC Dordrecht with 0-4. Bart Nieuwkoop, one of the goalscorers, seems satisfied with the probable system change in De Kuip.

Where Feyenoord was very successful in a 1-4-3-3 formation under the departed Arne Slot, Priske will most likely opt for a 1-3-4-3 formation. The Danish coach wants to test the system further in the coming weeks.

The 28-year-old Nieuwkoop is interested in this, as he shows in an interview with Feyenorod ONE. “For me, the new system is great. It’s a system that I like to play and that suits me, so that’s nice. It’s a bit comparable to how I played in Belgium. Of course, there are some things that are different. A new coach has other aspects in the system, but it’s comparable.”

“We have three men at the back and four men in midfield,” Nieuwkoop explains. “A lot of tilting as a wingback, a lot of meters as a wingback. That has to grow in the team, but we have shown good moments. I like to put high pressure. In this system, that is possible on the fullbacks of the opponent, so that is something that suits me.

Nieuwkoop looks back on a good first week under Priske. “We had a tough week. We've been busy from Monday until now (Saturday, ed.). We've had a few meetings about the new system. We've trained hard, so it's going well. My goals? To get as fit as possible. As a group, to get this system in as well as possible. Work hard every day and ultimately achieve good results.”

Response Priske

Priske himself also spoke about the new system on Saturday. “I have seen a lot and received answers. The way of playing is different than they are used to. Everyone is trying to adapt to the new system and the formation. I have seen many players play a good match and they did everything they could to win.”

“The structure was very important for me, both in the formation and the system. We recognized some patterns that we trained this week, both defensively and offensively, and they did it very well. We still have to make small adjustments, because other teams will hurt us more than what happened today,” said Priske.

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