The duel between Feyenoord and Slavia Prague, which is scheduled for Thursday evening as part of the Conference League, has a special meaning for Mick van Buren. The 29-year-old attacker is under contract with Slavia Prague, although he is currently rented out to Ceske Budejovice, but grew up a stone’s throw from De Kuip and is still a fan of Feyenoord. “I am for Feyenoord anyway. In that regard, I hope that both teams continue,” says Van Buren in conversation with the NOS.
“We are…or, yes ‘we’…it is definitely a strong team, especially a very strong collective. It really is a walking machine. The backs, the wingers, but also the strikers run a lot. They often look for the footballing solution. Have guts, even when we are under pressure trying to build up and not just shoot the ball forward”, Van Buren says. He thinks Slavia Prague would be at the top of the Eredivisie.
“Ajax is in a class of its own, PSV comes close, but they would certainly participate for the places below. Let’s say top-4”, says the attacker. Van Buren finds it difficult to designate a favorite for the game between Feyenoord and Slavia Prague. “If you had asked me last year, I would have said Slavia. But I think Feyenoord is playing very good and attacking football at the moment, putting a lot more energy into the game. It all seems a little easier for them. That makes it really equal.”
If Slavia Prague wins in Rotterdam, Van Buren can expect some messages. “They know for sure that I am a Feyenoord fan, yes. I have been saying all the time for the past five years that Feyenoord is the best club in the world, haha.” It General Newspaper predicts that Feyenoord coach Arne Slot will make one change for the second group match in the Conference League compared to the home game won 5-3 against NEC. Marcus Pedersen returns to the starting eleven at the expense of Lutsharel Geertruida.