Despite being two of the more prominent names in this stage of Europe’s second tier competition, both find themselves languishing at the bottom of group H without a win between them so far. Indeed, both were handed damaging defeats by group leaders CSKA Moscow, and the free-flowing Russians have virtually sealed their passage through by firstly destroying the Spaniards 3-0 last month, before Brazilian record signing Vagner Love tormented Feyenoords’ defence before helping him himself to a double in a 3-1 win.
The latter’s defeat is testimony to the nightmare the Rotterdam club have faced this season. Coach Gertjan Verbeek has watched in agony as his ailing squad have tumbled from league runners up in 2006 to Eridivisie also-rans. To be blunt, their performances are not of a level representative of such an established name in European football.
Remember thanks to the likes of Pierre Van Hooijdonk and Jon Dahl Tomasson, De club van het holk triumphed in this very competition in 2002, but since then the club have added just a solitary Dutch cup to the trophy cabinet, and serious financial constraints have led to any top talent being sold on to make ends meet. Dirk Kuyt and Salamon Kalou are two notable departures in the past few years.
The dire situation has given Verbeek a hugely difficult task, and he has had to call on a number of veteran players in an effort to bolster his squad. Former Deportivo hero Roy Makaay is the clubs top scorer, but at 33 years old is hardly one for the future. Combine this with Van Bronckhorst (33), Michael Mols (37), and the returning Jon Dahl Tomasson (32), and it reveals the backbone of an ageing outfit. Domestically, they are in trouble; just six points above the relegation play-offs and they find themselves in a class down from the likes of Ajax and PSV. In the clubs’ centenary season, it is difficult to escape the air of underachievement that encircles the Feijenoord Stadion.
Deportivo can relate to the problems of their opponents to a certain degree. Once they were such a big-spending powerhouse they were tagged SuperDepor, but the club has been unable to recapture the type of form that witnessed its galaxy of stars win the Primera Division in 2000. They simply do not have the resources to chase La Liga glory, but Miguel Angel Lotina has received many plaudits for the way his side have performed this season.
The likes of Lafita and Jose Guardado have given standout displays as the Galacians have leapt to seventh in the league table after an impressive run of five wins in their last six games in all competitions. Lotina’s men are exceeding expectations, and as the excellent performance against Athletic Bilbao showed, they are capable of playing attractive football in the process.
This is likely to be an end-to-end encounter as both sides must go for the win to maintain their chances of progressing. Despite three teams from each section making it through, Feyenoord have already played twice in the group, losing convincingly in Nancy along with their home loss to CSKA. Deportivo could effectively end Verbeeks’ men European run for the season by snatching the points on Thursday.
However, Feyenoord are on something of a mini revival in the league, picking up seven points from their last three matches. Plus, football is unique in the scenarios it pits players and teams against on a regular basis. Wouldn’t it just be typical of striker Roy Makaay to pop up and find the net in front of the Riazor faithful who used to adore him?
He scored 79 goals in 133 games during his time there, and the beautiful game often throws up this type of situation where former suitors become current enemies. Whatever the outcome, it should make for an absorbing contest.
FORM GUIDE
Deportivo La Coruña:
23 Nov Deportivo 3-1 Bilbao (La Liga)
16 Nov Atlético-Deportivo 4-1 (La Liga)
12 Nov Copa Deportivo-Elche 2-0 (Copa Del Rey)
09 Nov Liga Deportivo-Espanyol 1-0 (La Liga)
02 Nov Liga Betis-Deportivo 0-3 (La Liga)
Feyenoord:
23 Nov Feyenoord 3-1 Den Haag (Eridivisie)
16 Nov Twente 1-1 Feyenoord (Eridivisie)
09 Nov Feyenoord 5-2 Utrecht (Eridivisie)
06 Nov Feyenoord 1-3 CSKA Moskow (UEFA Cup)
02 Nov Roda JC 0-4 Feyenoord (Eridivisie)
TEAM NEWS
Deportivo La Coruña:
Bodipo was stretchered off after winning a penalty against Bilbao on Saturday and the knee injury he suffered will keep him out until the new year. Julian De Guzman will not face his brother after suffering a muscle strain in training. Riki will be given until the last minute to shake off a knock and take his place in the squad.
Team that faced Bilbao on Sunday:
Aranzubia; Rodriguez, Ze Castro, Kasmirski, Pablo; Juan Rodriguez, Tomas, Bodipo Verdu, Guardardo, Lafita.
Feyenoord:
Verbeek has a number of injury concerns, with both Denny Landzaat and Michael Mols picking up hamtsring strains during the week that will see them sidelined for a month. Ironically, Jonathan De Guzman has also sustained a knock, meaning both him and his brother will miss the contest. Also missing are Tomasson, Vlaar, Serginho Greene and Biseswar which could push Feyenoords sqaud to its absolute limit.
Team that faced Den Haag on Sunday:
Timmer; de Cler, Derijck, Bahia, Tiendalli, Van Bronckhorst, El Ahmadi, Fer, Wijnaldum, Bruins, Makaay
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Deportivo La Coruña:
Lafita has been in excellent form for Depor, and the cultured midfielder has chipped in with four invaluable goals to assist his misfiring teammates, which is one third of the total goals managed by the entire squad. The 24-year old Spaniard will again be key tonight if they are to break down the Dutch rearguard.
Feyenoord:
It has to be Roy Makaay. Is the former Deportivo and Bayern Munich man simply destined to score against the club he served so well? While 33 and with laboured movement these days, he still has that blistering strike that can be unleashed from any angle and leave a goalkeeper embarrassed. His team could really do with a moment of magic from him tonight.
PREDICTION
Deportivo are strong opponents at the Riazor, as Real Madrid have already discovered this season. Combine that with Feyenoord’s poor form on the road and surely the Spanish side can claim all three points to put their UEFA cup campaign back on track.
Deportivo La Coruña2-1 Feyenoord
Weathered Chivas ready for anything
Blanco loaned to Santos Laguna
La Liga Preview: Atlético Madrid – Deportivo La Coruña
Deportivo’s Aranzubia Sad To See Bilbao Suffer
