Football Season Guide

Despite losing the second KNVB Beker final in 3 years, NEC made history at the end of the past season, finishing third and reaching the Champions League qualifying rounds for the first time ever. Thanks to coach Dick Schreuder’s tactics, unusual for Dutch football, they offered an outstanding play, scoring more than 2 goals per game, and mis-treated giants like Feyenoord and PSV, who lost to them both in the league and the Cup. They could have actually obtained more, considering those long spells when they were untreatable, but were too fragile defensively, with 53 goals conceded, and drew too many games, 11. Moreover, a slight crisis after losing the Cup to AZ almost cost them their European spot: they went winless for 3 games and fell off the top 3 but a thrilling win against Go Ahead brought them back to Heaven. This new season will be a tough one for Schreuder and his boys as they will be expected to repeat themselves and to shine also in Europe. It will not be easy, though, also because they lost a couple of protagonists over the summer. First of all, experienced back-up goalkeeper Cillessen was let go after underperforming in a few occasions. With Janse also gone, they do not have a valid alternative to outstanding Crettaz. The defence lost 2 starters in Dasa and Kaplan, while Willems will not be missed. They signed Storm and Schuurs as their replacements but the latter has to prove his worth after 2 seasons sidelined. More will also be asked from Sandler and Nuytinck, at last fit after recovering from injuries. They looked short in the midfield and so they signed experienced Monteiro and youngster Tahaui, thus building some much-needed depth in the squad. Then, they lost starting winger Onal, 9 goals and 9 assists last season, and back-up Misidjan. Their replacements Bischoff arrived from Salzburg while versatile van Crooij returned from Sparta Rotterdam. Moreover, they signed striker Sierhuis, who did wonders at Sittard and could fight for a start.