Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Feyenoord, Robin Van Persie, Manchester United, Arsenal
Chris Nee
Topics: Feyenoord, Robin Van Persie, Manchester United, Arsenal
Robin van Persie is a week into his Feyenoord return and his debut as head coach ended in a disappointing goalless draw against NEC at De Kuip on Saturday.
The former Arsenal and Manchester United striker oversaw a dominant performance that could have done with his own finishing abilities in front of goal. Feyenoord sit in fourth place in the Dutch Eredivisie table, two points behind Utrecht after their win over NAC Breda.
Van Persie is already contending with injury problems but has declined to blame them for dropped points either on Saturday or in the weeks to come. Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf drew some conclusions after the game, which Feyenoord controlled throughout.
"On the side of the field he was oh so involved, he urged his players to keep up the pressure but apart from a large advantage it did not lead to big chances," reported Marcel van der Kraan after Feyenoord's meeting the NEC, who also described the "cat-like leap" from Feyenoord goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther to keep out NEC's only big chance of the match.
There were positive signs for Van Persie in the second half but his Feyenoord players were unable to find the all-important breakthrough to boost their European hopes.
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"After the break, Feyenoord stepped it up a notch. NEC found themselves with their backs to the wall and in the goal area it was women and children first," wrote Van der Kraan.
NEC "slowly but surely parked the bus" but did have the ball in the net 18 minutes from time. After a VAR review, the goal was disallowed because of a handball and the game was left to wind its way to a point apiece but not before Feyenoord had a goal of their own scrubbed off.
"A few seconds later the ball was in the net at the other end, when 18-year-old Mexican Stephano Carillo finished off a beautiful attack. No VAR was involved here, but one of Dieperink's assistants who flagged for offside," reported Van der Kraan.
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Van Persie will go in search of his first win against Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday. The 41-year-old former Netherlands international, who has had a long history with Feyenoord, returned to De Kuip to replace Brian Priske at the end of February. He left his first head coach role at Heerenveen after less than a year in order to take the job.