Feyenoord arrived at the Stade Vélodrome with a significant delay, reports trainer Arne Slot prior to the return in the semi-final of the Conference League. Due to a huge chaos on the way to the stadium of Olympique Marseille, the Rotterdam selection arrived at least half an hour later than planned. Nevertheless, the starting time of the crucial game remains at 9 PM.
“We weren’t a little late, we were very late,” the coach told Veronica† “They had indicated that it would take us half an hour, but it took us an hour. In the meantime, another brick hit the windows … So you actually expect that this is better arranged in a semi-final But we’re here and we’re incredibly excited.”
Slot does not make any changes to the basic eleven compared to the 3-2 won first game. “The approach is that the same Feyenoord is there as last week. Last week we also showed two faces, that we first gave very high and aggressive pressure. But we also had phases when we were forced to go far back. Today will be no different. Where we can, we will try to put good pressure. But you also depend on how your team is in the game, how your opponent is in the game,” said Slot.
In front of ‘s camera ESPN let the coach know that the delay was mainly caused by the Marseille supporters, who seemed to block access. “The police had an incredible amount of trouble clearing the way, so it took a little longer. And in the meantime, there were also a lot of people who didn’t wish us luck, let’s just keep it at that. There is at UEFA there is simply little freedom of movement, so we have to accept it. It is not a disaster that we start at 9 p.m. If it is not possible, we will adapt. We have done that several times this year.”