Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King-Chapter 324: Matchday Thirteen

The De Kuip roared, a cauldron of noise as the sun dipped below Rotterdam’s skyline on Sunday, November 25.

Feyenoord’s red and white flags clashed with AZ Alkmaar’s scarlet and white scarves in the stands, the 6:45 PM Eredivisie clash crackling with anticipation.

The pitch gleamed under floodlights, grass crisp, the air thick with the scent of beer and anticipation. Players lined up, boots scuffing the turf, faces set, as the referee checked his watch. Benjamin adjusted his shin guards, eyes scanning Feyenoord’s defense.

In the commentary booth, Jon adjusted his headset, his voice warm but sharp, cutting through the stadium’s din. [Welcome to De Kuip, folks! Jon here with Rob for Feyenoord versus AZ Alkmaar, a proper Eredivisie showdown. AZ Alkmaar are flying after that 2-1 win over Udinese, locking in their Europa League knockout spot, but Feyenoord’s no pushover at home]

Rob leaned forward, mic close, a grin in his tone. [Spot on, Jon. This place is a fortress, and Feyenoord’s got fire in their bellies after a 3-1 win last week. AZ Alkmaar’s got momentum and are firmly behind Ajax in second place, but De Kuip’s a different beast. Let’s talk lineups, shall we?]

The scoreboard flashed Feyenoord’s crest, and Jon’s voice steadied, reading from his notes. [Feyenoord’s starting XI, in a 4-3-3. In goal, Erwin Mulder. Back four: Daryl Janmaat at right-back, Joris Mathijsen and Bruno Martins Indi as center-backs, Miquel Nelom at left-back]

[Midfield trio: Jordy Clasie holding, with Lex Immers and Tonny Vilhena pushing forward. Up top, Wesley Verhoek on the right, Graziano Pellè as the target man, and Jean-Paul Boëtius on the left]

Rob nodded, scribbling on his pad. [Solid setup, Jon. Pellè’s a handful—sixteen goals this season already after twelve league games. Clasie’s the engine, those through balls are deadly. Subs bench: Kostas Lamprou in goal, defenders Sven van Beek and Terence Kongolo, midfielders Ruud Vormer and John Goossens, and forwards Ruben Schaken and Anass Achahbar]

Jon’s tone lifted, glancing at the pitch where AZ Alkmaar players warmed up. [Now for AZ Alkmaar, also in a 4-3-3. Esteban Alvarado guards the net. Defense: Mattias Johansson at right-back, Nick Viergever and Etiënne Reijnen at center-back, Donny Gorter at left-back. Midfield: Adam Maher anchoring, flanked by Markus Henriksen and Martin Martens. Attack: Steven Berghuis on the right, Jozy Altidore up top, and Benjamin Rijkaard on the left]

Rob’s voice buzzed with excitement. [That’s a lively side, Jon. Benjamin’s been electric—his runs tore Udinese apart. Altidore’s got his shooting boots on, and Maher’s pulling strings. AZ Alkmaar’s bench: Yves De Winter in goal, defenders Nico Marcellis and Thomas Lam, midfielders Victor Elm and Nick Overtoom, and forwards Jóhann Guðmundsson and Roy Beerens]

The players jogged to their positions, Benjamin stretching his calves, eyeing Mathijsen’s stance. Altidore towered near the center circle, clapping his hands, while Henriksen muttered to Maher, pointing at Clasie. Feyenoord’s Pellè stood tall, joking with Immers, his grin fading as the referee signaled kickoff.

[Jon’s voice sharpened. Lineups set, Jon. De Kuip’s rocking. Who’s got the edge here?]

[Rob leaned back, thoughtful. Tough call, Jon. Feyenoord’s home crowd’s worth a goal, and Pellè’s a monster in the air. But AZ Alkmaar’s got pace—Benjamin and Altidore can punish on the break. I’m backing a tight one, maybe 2-2]

[Jon chuckled, mic catching it. You’re sitting on the fence, Rob! I’ll say AZ Alkmaar nick it, 2-1. Benjamin’s got Mathijsen’s number. Let’s see who starts stronger]

Fweeeeee!~

The referee blew his whistle, and Feyenoord kicked off, Clasie tapping to Immers. The midfielder fired it wide to Verhoek, who sprinted past Gorter, crossing low.

Pellè lunged, but Viergever slid, deflecting it out. The crowd roared, a wave of noise, as AZ Alkmaar reset, Esteban Alvarado rolling the ball to Johansson.

[Rob’s voice surged. Straight into it, Jon! Verhoek’s got jets, but Viergever’s sharp.]

[Jon’s tone matched him. AZ Alkmaar need to watch those flanks, Rob. Feyenoord’s wingers are lively.]

AZ Alkmaar pushed back. Maher scooped a pass to Benjamin, who darted down the left, chopping past Janmaat with a quick La Croqueta. The winger crossed, but Mathijsen headed clear, the ball landing with Clasie.

The midfielder broke, feeding Boëtius, who sprinted past Johansson, but his shot sailed wide, rattling the boards.

[Jon whistled. Benjamin’s already at it, Rob! But Boëtius is no slouch.]

[Rob’s voice buzzed. End to end, Jon! Both sides are hungry. This is going to be a cracker.]

Feyenoord built patiently. Martins Indi passed to Clasie, who turned and sprayed a long ball to Verhoek. The winger chested it down, darting past Gorter, and crossed low.

Pellè rose, outjumping Reijnen, but his header clipped the bar, bouncing into the stands. The home fans roared, scarves waving.

[Rob gasped. So close, Jon! Pellè’s a beast in the air!]

[Jon’s voice tightened. AZ Alkmaar got lucky there, Rob. Reijnen needs to stick tighter.]

AZ Alkmaar pushed. Henriksen won a loose ball, firing it to Beerens. The midfielder darted through midfield, slipping it to Altidore. The striker held off Martins Indi, laying it back to Benjamin.

The winger chopped past Nelom, firing a low shot, but Mulder dove, gloving it wide. The corner came—Benjamin’s delivery curled, but Mathijsen headed clear.

[Jon’s voice surged. Benjamin’s cooking, Rob! Mulder had to be sharp!]

[Rob clapped, grinning. That’s why AZ Alkmaar are dangerous, Jon. Benjamin’s got magic in those boots.]

Feyenoord pushed again in the 6th minute. Clasie scooped a pass to Vilhena, who darted past Maher. His shot was tame, rolling to Esteban, but the intent was clear.

Pellè lurked, waiting for scraps, his eyes scanning every gap. Gertjan Verbeek barked from the touchline, waving for tighter marking.

[Rob’s voice sharpened. Feyenoord’s midfield’s clicking, Jon. Clasie’s pulling strings.]

[Jon’s tone was tense. AZ Alkmaar need to shut him down, Rob. He’s finding too much space.]

AZ Alkmaar struck back. Reijnen fired a long ball to Benjamin, who chested it down and sprinted. He chopped past Janmaat with a Snake Bite, crossing low.

Altidore lunged, but Martins Indi intercepted, booting it to Immers. The midfielder broke, feeding Boëtius, whose shot sailed high.

[Jon’s voice lifted. Benjamin’s tearing it up, Rob! Janmaat’s struggling!]

[Rob chuckled. But AZ Alkmaar need to finish, Jon. Feyenoord’s backline’s holding firm.]

The game stretched with both sides probing. Feyenoord’s fans sang, a rolling chant, as Clasie passed to Verhoek.

The winger darted past Gorter, crossing deep. Pellè leaped, but Viergever matched him, heading clear. The ball landed with Maher, who fired it to Beerens, sparking an AZ Alkmaar break.

[Rob’s voice buzzed. This is relentless, Jon! No one’s backing off!]

[Jon leaned forward, warm. Proper Eredivisie stuff, Rob. Both teams want blood.]