Como’s sixth-place start puts Feyenoord’s response in focus
Como arrive at De Kuip sixth in the Champions League table. Feyenoord are 34th after a 5-1 defeat to Barcelona, leaving the hosts with ground to recover while…
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Como arrive at De Kuip sixth in the Champions League table. Feyenoord are 34th after a 5-1 defeat to Barcelona, leaving the hosts with ground to recover while Cesc Fabregas’ side have a chance to strengthen their early position in their first Champions League campaign.
That contrast sets the stakes, but Feyenoord captain Luciano Valente has rejected the idea that his team must win at all costs simply because it has no points in Europe. He described Como as organised and disciplined, with players of real quality. Feyenoord’s European setback has come alongside a strong domestic run: four wins in their last five league matches, including a 5-0 victory over FC Utrecht and a 7-0 win at PEC Zwolle.
Their last five games have brought 16 goals scored and six conceded. That attacking output gives Feyenoord a route to respond, though the Barcelona loss has left them needing points to start moving up from the bottom end of the table.
Como have also carried goals into this trip, scoring seven and conceding three across their last five matches. Their recent results include a 4-1 Champions League win over RB Leipzig and a goalless Serie A draw with Roma. The result against Roma came after Donyell Malen was sent off; Fabregas said his team should have shown more patience. Roma are third in Serie A with 14 points from six games.
Nico Paz is among Como’s expected starters, alongside Anastasios Douvikas. Paz has praised Fabregas’ role in his development since joining from Real Madrid. Feyenoord’s projected attack includes Valente and Anis Hadj Moussa, but the hosts have six players listed out injured: Thomas Beelen, Bart Nieuwkoop, Jordan Bos, Reiss Nelson, Gijs Smal and Shaqueel van Persie. Como will be without Moise Kean. Neither side has a suspended player.
Como’s place in sixth gives them more than a chance to keep a promising European start going: a result away from home would underline it. Feyenoord, meanwhile, need to turn their domestic scoring form into a Champions League result. The match is available live on NOW and Sky Sport.
