Vente helps PEC Zwolle again alongside RKC Waalwijk • Boss extends contract with Ajax

RKC-PEC | 45′ Great chance RKC just before half time

There it was almost 2-1 for RKC again. The home team does not give up and immediately looks for attack again. Margaret picks up a cross in the penalty area and lays the ball ready for Zawada. The goalscorer cannot score again now, he shoots at Schendelaar’s feet.

Not much later it is also ready for the first half. It is peaceful in Waalwijk.

RKC-PEC | 41′ GOAL! PEC takes a penalty

GOAL! PEC Zwolle is back in the match. Kesting has to immediately fish the ball out of the net with his first shot on goal. Dylan Vente hits a penalty, even though the keeper is in the right corner.

The penalty was caused by Godfried Roemeratoe, who knocked down Filip Krastev in the penalty area.

The stronger RKC can therefore start again.

News at Ajax: Boss extends contract

Youri Baas is the next Premier League player to extend his contract on Friday. The 21-year-old defender has broken his contract with Ajax and has now been contracted for two years longer. The contract of the Dutch Juniors international now runs until June 2028.

Baas has been playing at Ajax since 2018. The left-footed player made his debut in the first team on August 28, 2022 during the FC Utrecht Ajax competition match (0-2) and played on loan for NEC last season. So far he has played in 34 official matches for Ajax’s first team, scoring once.

RKC-PEC | 25′ RKC plays nice football against PEC

The home team does not play as you would expect from the number 16 of the Premier League. Instead of waiting and playing reaction football, we look for attack. PEC Zwolle has very little say.

As a result, Kesting, promoted to first goalkeeper at the last minute, has had very little to do.

PEC Zwolle wants to leave the bottom regions

It is now clear what is on the program for RKC. But there is also plenty to win for PEC Zwolle on Friday evening. The number 13 of the Premier League has only four points more than Sparta, the current number 16. If they win, the people of Zwolle can really distance themselves from the bottom places.

Jeroen Houwen quits RKC Waalwijk

Jeroen Houwen was actually supposed to keep RKC’s last Premier League match in 2024, but the goalkeeper dropped out in the warm-up. At ESPN, trainer Henk Fraser says that Houwen is suffering from his hamstring.

As a result, Joey Kesting now keeps the important game for RKC. If they win, the home team will be a little closer to position 16, where Sparta is now.

Obispo extends his contract with PSV

Armando Obispo will stay at PSV longer. The defender has extended his expiring contract until 2027, his club announced on social media. This suits the Eindhoven club well, because if Obispo had not extended his contract, he would have had the right to enter into discussions with other clubs in a few days.

This season, Obispo has only played five Premier League matches for PSV. He also played once in the cup tournament. The defender suffered a knee injury at the beginning of this year.

Farioli wants Ajax to ‘put the last piece of the puzzle’

It could be a very nice weekend for Ajax, with competitors AZ and Twente and PSV and Feyenoord playing against each other. But then we have to win on Sunday at Maurice Steijn’s Sparta.

That could be a difficult job, Farioli thinks. “Sparta has a strong and fast team, with a lot of aggression in duels and second balls,” said the Italian on the Ajax website. “We have to be ready for that, both mentally and physically. Sunday is about concentration and perseverance.”

“We have to prepare for an important clash one more time,” Farioli continues. “We have had a long journey and are probably the team in Europe with the most appearances this season. Now it is time to put the final piece of the puzzle together.”

Farioli expects Josip Sutalo to be back on Sunday. The Croat was not completely fit.

Farioli expects Berghuis to miss Sparta – Ajax

Steven Berghuis will probably miss Sparta – Ajax. He got hit against Telstar and had to be replaced at halftime.

His trainer Francesco Farioli reports that Sparta away will be a difficult story for Berghuis. “We still have to look at everything carefully, but I think that match comes too early for him”

Still a bit of a shock at AZ. There is a flu wave at the club and tomorrow the Alkmaarders will play against FC Twente. Coach Maartens Martens said today that almost all his players ‘have a bit of stomach trouble’. Martens does not yet know whether they are too ill to play against Twente.

Jordy Clasie was the first to become ill, then the virus spread. “We are extra careful, because there were also cases of illness at the training complex,” said Martens. “We immediately started avoiding risks. Tomorrow we will determine who can be deployed.”

No feelings of revenge for Steijn: ‘I am not a hateful man’

He knew the question was coming, but he didn’t mind. Maurice Steijn likes to look ahead to Sunday’s Premier League match between Sparta Rotterdam and Ajax, the club where he was fired last season after an intense period.

“It is a beautiful poster, it has always been that over the years. As a coach and player you look forward to matches against top clubs, and that is Ajax,” says the trainer. “I understand that people are asking about it, but for me the priority at the moment is only Sparta.”

Willem II will reflect on loneliness this weekend

Willem II’s shirt will not feature a sponsor name this weekend, but the slogan ‘II is better than I’. The Tilburg club wants to draw attention to people who struggle with loneliness.

Defender Amine Lachkar posed with the shirt.

Priske knows Feyenoord’s place in ‘food chain’

Juventus would like to take over David Hancko this winter. How does Feyenoord coach Brian Priske view such a possible winter transfer? “As a Dutch club, there are competitions that are still above us, so players will dream of a step. We also want to have the best team possible after the winter and David is of course part of that.”

But Priske does not dare to say whether Hancko will actually be keepable. “It is part of Feyenoord that you have to sell to an international top club with the right offer. But of course we want to keep David.”

PSV and Feyenoord met in August in the Johan Cruijff Scale. Then Feyenoord won on penalties. How does Priske view the development of his team since that match?

“We are on the right track,” said the Dane. “Offensively and defensively, things are going in the direction we want. However, I am disappointed with a number of unnecessary draws. That is why we still have to take steps after the winter break.”

Will Berghuis make it to Sparta – Ajax?

Ajax coach Francesco Farioli replaced Steven Berghuis yesterday during halftime of the cup match against Telstar. The left leg appeared to be suffering from his Achilles tendon, Farioli told VI. “Steven got a knock, he had some problems with his Achilles tendon. That’s why I substituted him at half time. We have to wait and see if he is available on Sunday.”

Berghuis is struggling with his form after his return after a serious injury. “It is always difficult to fit in with the rhythm of the team, because he was out for three months. All the others have a certain rhythm, the train was already going 200 kilometers per hour, so to jump in is not easy .”

Maduro responds after being fired from Almere City

Hedwiges Maduro was fired by Almere City this week. His first season as an independent head coach ended prematurely.

Today he posted a message on Instagram. “As a boy of the club and as a boy of the city, it hurts me to have to leave this club,” Maduro wrote. “I gave everything and tried to help Almere City further. Unfortunately, this did not work out for explainable reasons.”

“I would like to thank Almere City FC for the opportunity they have given me to grow into an even better coach. Personally, I only think about growth. Wanting to get better. That is why I see this as a snapshot. I take this experience and I will take the lessons I learned with me into the future. For now it is time to evaluate and, above all, to self-reflect.”

Almere City collected six points under Maduro and is last in the Premier League. By ‘explainable reasons’, Maduro is probably referring to the many injuries his players had to deal with.

Lozano’s silent departure from PSV, or can he do something special against Feyenoord?

“I’m going to miss everyone at the club,” says Hirving Lozano on the eve of his departure from PSV. The 29-year-old Mexican will leave for American San Diego FC in January. The last match in his second period in Eindhoven will be the home game against Feyenoord on Sunday, if he gets playing time.

As fiery as Lozano’s first period was, his second term in Eindhoven will most likely end quietly. Or the 29-year-old Mexican will suddenly have to come up with something special in the upcoming top match against Feyenoord. Such as his hat trick against Ajax on October 29, 2023 (5-2) or a winning goal in the final seconds.