The biggest game in the Eredivisie this weekend pitted Feyenoord against Ajax, with the champions coming from behind twice to snatch a late win
Feyenoord manager Arne Slot believes the game between his team and Ajax would have ended differently if Cyriel Dessers’ decision-making had been top-notch.
Dessers’ fantastic spell in front of goal in recent times worked in his favour as Slot kept faith in the Nigerian forward by naming him in the starting eleven ahead of Brian Linssen. Dessers has four goals in his last four games for the Dutch side.
The one-cap Super Eagles forward did well to provide an assist and had a penalty shout controversially waved away by the referee. His contributions were not enough, though, as ten-man Ajax twice came from behind to win 3-2 at the Johan Cruijff Arena.
But with the scores still in favour of Feyenoord, the visitors missed a great chance to go 3-1 up, but Dessers chose to go it alone when teammate Jens Toornstra was better placed.
Slot is convinced that was one of the most crucial points in the game, which could have handed Feyenoord a two-goal lead. And the manager thinks even Dessers would not be impressed with his decision when he watches the match again.
“I think that’s an important point in the game,” Slot told ESPN, as per FCupdate.
“If he (Dessers) looks next to him, he’ll see that Jens is completely free. I don’t even know if he shot him far in front, but Jens was very free at that moment.
“Of course, he’s very active in his action, so I don’t know if you can coach that. I think when he sees the video footage, he knows that passing the ball was a better option.”
On loan from Genk, Dessers has made 18 appearances for Feyenoord in the Eredivisie, but only three of those have been starts. The 27-year-old, however, has impressed with six goals and two assists.
