From Rotterdam it sounds: ‘PSV is at the moment the only top club in the Netherlands.’
1 min readUnlike PSV, Feyenoord had a disappointing season this year despite finishing in second place. Under Robin van Persie, the Rotterdammers started strongly and for a while were even seen as the number one title contender.
After the home defeat against PSV (2-3) on 26 October 2025, however, things went downhill for Van Persie’s team. It went so far downhill that at a certain point it was no longer a question of whether PSV would be champions, but when PSV would be champions.
Even in Europe and in the KNVB Cup, the Rotterdammers couldn’t pull off a surprise. Before the winter break, Feyenoord were eliminated at home in the cup competition by sc Heerenveen (2-3), and in the Europa League the club from Rotterdam-Zuid did not get beyond the League Phase after they had already lost earlier to Fenerbahce in the Champions League qualifying round.
Also in the FC Rijnmond program by RTV Rijnmond, Feyenoord’s performances this season are being examined, with PSV also being mentioned. ''At the end of the day, you can say: 'Okay, they've qualified for the Champions League.' That's a huge amount of money for Feyenoord. Thank God, because it provides a foundation for the season after next, when it will become even more important, because then there will be only one place to earn in the Champions League,'' commentator Emile Schelvis says in the talk show.
After that, Schelvis discusses the status of the traditional top three in the Netherlands. ''So a big difference in spending levels of the top clubs will arise. Right now, there is only one top club in the Netherlands, and that is PSV. And therefore, as I already said: 'who’s going to be turning the knobs?' Feyenoord will have to take the right steps'', is the commentator’s opinion.
The Rotterdammer also thinks that Feyenoord is on the right track to take the right steps to potentially be able to tie in with PSV and also points to the administrative level. ''It seems like that now, with Eenhoorn and Rigaux then coming, and I also hope that Van Bronckhorst will still be brought in in a kind of 'Cocu role', as is the case here at PSV. So that you also get a good connection between Varkenoord and the squad, because that has also sometimes been lacking, partly because Feyenoord isn't in that pyramid. So, putting all of that together, again: it could provide a foundation, because now there is a blueprint for how it should, at least, not be'', says Schelvis.
The debate about whether or not to keep coach Robin van Persie on board is also brought up. ''And then you can say: 'Yes, that will be the big question, also at this table, at all the café tables, all the Feyenoord tables here in Rotterdam and the surrounding area: Does Van Persie have to be one of those people who keeps turning the knobs?''', Schelvis wonders.
After that, presenter Bart Nolles asks: ''And what would your answer to that be?'', after which Schelvis replies without hesitation: ''I don't think so.''
Comments17
Bro the front three looked dangerous but the final ball was mid. Defenders were set, we cant keep trying the same cutback 3 times lol 💀. Get the winger to take his man on first, then the box opens.
Tbh i think PSV will win if they start turning defense into attacks faster. Let the transition game be the weapon, because parking the bus against anyone half decent is never safe 💯
Marvellous movement from the front, but defensively we still leave lanes open on the outside. When the fullback hesitates, it kills the offside trap... and you can feel opponents smell it. 💯⚽
"controlled build-up" has to mean we actually progress through the center, not just sideways recycling. When Xavi Simons drops deep, the space behind him is gold, but only if the 8s move earlier. Tonight we need faster decisions in the half-spaces, no hesitation 👏⚽.
Goal!! the way they switched play quickly was pure fire. If they keep doing that and stop overplaying at the back, this team is scary in transition 🚀💯
"More variation in the build-up" sounds good, but i want to see it under pressure, not just when the tempo is comfortable. If PSV keep dropping too deep, the press becomes optional and the opponent will control the game.
Loving the idea of the fullback overlap, but if the winger is not tracking back it becomes suicide. Also, please someone tell the striker to start the runs earlier, the timing was off today ⚽
That quote about "winning duels" is nice, but the stats wont lie. If the keeper is saving everything again, it means the defensive line is too high or the cover is missing.
If PSV really want to keep attacking with that high line, they better fix the transitions. I saw too many moments where the midfield gets bypassed and the full-backs have to sprint back. Otherwise it becomes a lottery, not a game plan 😅👀.
i still dont get the decision to leave that press trap open. When the first pass to the striker is predictable, opponents turn it into free counters, and PSV looked one step late 🥶
"PSV Inside" really nails the angle on the wide overload. Last match you could see the difference when the fullback actually pinned the winger instead of drifting inside all the time 🔥⚽
"PSV's intensity is back" ... i get it, but intensity without control is just chaos. Need more patience in possession, especially when X player drops between the lines, otherwise we give away cheap chances.
That change in shape felt necessary. The moment they tightened the middle, chance creation looked cleaner 🔥
Tbh that midfield setup felt a bit too cautious. If they want more control vs pressing, need someone brave between the lines, not just recycling sideways.
The quote about being "more brave in possession" is exactly what im worried about, because when we try to play through pressure too slow, it ends in turnovers. Make it quick, direct when needed, otherwise it feels mid tbh.
If PSV really played that high press, fair play... but it only works when the mids win the second balls. Tbh, i saw some moments where we were chasing shadows and the counter looked dangerous.
If PSV are really going with that high press, i just hope they dont leave Gakpo isolated again. Midfield needs to cover the half-spaces or its gonna be a long night 👀.