There is one big surprise in Feyenoord’s line-up. Ramiz Zerrouki gets a starting spot, at the expense of Yankuba Minteh. The attacker has been in great form in recent weeks and his reserve role comes as a surprise to many. However, Youri Mulder understands trainer Arne Slot’s decision.
“We have recovered some images from the match against Celtic,” Mulder begins Ziggo Sports. “Stengs was not very happy with putting pressure on Minteh. He played as a striker and Stengs played at 10, and then things like this should not happen.”
Mulder refers to images showing how Celtic can easily build up due to moderate pressure from Minteh. “That is still possible against Celtic… Here you also see Wieffer signaling that he must push through to the right central defender. It is much too slow.”
“This is a level higher. He has to be more in the middle and is poorly positioned. You also see Stengs pointing, like: ‘Now walk there!’. In the end it works out, because Ivanusec dives into the gap, so that Celtic cannot get out the other side. He eventually understood it, but it took too long. You often see that with wingers who end up in the rush hour. That they have difficulty with that.”
“So Slot puts Ueda there, who can probably do that much better,” Mulder continues. The Japanese is the replacement for the suspended Santiago Gimenez at the point of attack. Many expected Minteh to be in the starting line-up, but Slot opts for Zerrouki. Igor Paixão therefore moves to the right side, while Calvin Stengs plays hanging on the left flank. Quinten Timber takes over the 10 position.
“Tactically you have to ensure that Atlético cannot just reach midfield, because they have Griezmann who keeps appearing there and he is going to divide the game,” Mulder concludes. Feyenoord recorded a 2-0 win over Celtic in the first round, while Atlético drew against Lazio (2-2) thanks to a late goal in Rome. The match at the Cívitas Metropolitano starts at 6:45 PM. The hosts will play in their usual 5-3-2 formation. Memphis Depay, among others, is missing due to an injury.
Atlético Madrid line-up: Oblak; Molina, Azpilicueta, Witsel, Hermoso, Lino; De Paul, Koke, Saúl; Morata, Griezmann.
Feyenoord line-up Wellenreuther; Geertruida, Trauner, Hancko, Hartman; Wieffer, Timber, Zerrouki; Paixão, Ueda, Stengs.