Feyenoord managed to win the Eredivisie after five years in the shadow of Ajax and PSV
Ajax had to settle for a disappointing third place which will prevent them from playing in the next edition of the Champions League
Over the past five years, we had gotten used to that Ajax and PSV share the cake in the Eredivisie. Both teams hogged the top two places in the Dutch league without anyone daring to raise their voices in protest. Until the arrival of Feyenoord.
The team led by Arne Slot has never taken its foot off the accelerator, hitting a 13-game hitting streak in the final stretch of the season. This spectacular run resulted in them clinching the national championship by a wide margin of seven points over second-placed PSV.
The return of Rotterdam painting to the Dutch throne It could not be understood without the closure of Bijlow under the sticks, the guidance of Kökcü or the work of Paixao, Szymanski and Idrissi as companions of the team’s goalkeeper, Santiago Giménez. The Mexican forward finished his first season in Europe with 15 goals and 2 assists in the league.
The other side of the coin was brought forward by Ajax. After three seasons of absolute domination, the team from the capital ends the journey with a disappointing third place which prevents them from playing in the next edition of the Champions League.
Figure: Dusan Tadic
In an overall gray season for Ajax, Tadic was one of the few positive news. The Serbian striker has taken the reins of the team and undertook a great campaign on an individual level, in which he scored 11 goals and dished out 18 assists.
The revelation: Xavi Simons
Excellent first experience of the former azulgrana in the Eredivisie. With almost no experience in the eliteXavi Simons ended the season as the league’s top scorer and one of the great pillars of the team. PSV will find it difficult to keep their ‘jewel’, as PSG have been saving up on a buy-back option.
KNVB Beker: PSV defended their title
PSV seem to have taken the measure of Ajax in the Cup. The Eindhoven team beat ‘ajacied’ for the second consecutive season in the final of the KNVB Beker. They didn’t do it without suffering, as they started under the board. Thorgan Hazard forced overtime and the balance tipped in the penalty shoot-out.
the ideal eleven
Olich; Geertruida, Beukema, Hancko, Smal; Kökcü, Veerman; Cerny, Berghuis, Simons; Tadic.