Analysis: Two defenders insufficient for NEC against
By OnzeActu · · 5 min read

Deprived of several key defenders, NEC showed its tactical limits during its loss against Telstar. The lack of a full complement on defense forced coach Dick Schreuder to improvise, compromising his team's play.
According to Vi.
Context
Dick Schreuder, as NEC coach, must navigate a difficult situation where the departures of players like Eli Dasa, Ahmetcan Kaplan and Jetro Willems have left a void in the defense. Their tactical approach, which relies on strong defense, is compromised, which could affect the team's performance in upcoming Eredivisie matches.
Why it matters
NEC's loss to Telstar highlights the challenges coach Dick Schreuder faces with a reduced defensive complement. The absence of several key defenders not only affected the team's performance, but also jeopardized the implementation of Schreuder's desired game tactics. This raises questions about NEC's ability to compete in the Eredivisie without adequately strengthening its defense.
Key points
- Analysis: Two defenders insufficient for NEC against.
- Deprived of several key defenders, NEC showed its tactical limits during its loss against Telstar.
- Analysis: twee verdedigers blijkt by NEC and weinig tegen Telstar.
During the match against Telstar, NEC experienced exactly what their coach Dick Schreuder had warned about throughout the preparation for the start of the season. The club was severely lacking in defenders, especially following the departures of Eli Dasa, Ahmetcan Kaplan and Jetro Willems. This situation complicated the implementation of the game tactics dear to Schreuder.
At the beginning of July, the coach expressed his dissatisfaction by declaring: “With so few defenders, it is impossible for us to anchor our style of play”. Faced with this shortage of personnel in defense, he had to choose between two imperfect solutions: folding midfielders into defense or starting young players who were still too green to face the level of the Eredivisie.
The first option resulted in inappropriate positioning of players on the pitch, while the second had repercussions on the fluidity of the game, due to a clear lack of quality and experience. Schreuder emphasized that, despite good individual physical condition, the collective suffered in the implementation of the game system.
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Added to this was bad news during the final friendly match against Sevilla: a minor injury to Philippe Sandler, a key player in the defense. Faced with victory in an official match against Telstar, Schreuder knew he had to build a cobbled-together rearguard, which did not bode well. He explained: “If Sandler can’t play, it’s complicated. Playing him now means losing him for several weeks, which represents too great a risk. »
The coach also regretted that this reality, and the need to preserve his players, was not always understood outside the club. Last year, with Dasa and Willems, the team could count on a solid squad in defense, capable of distributing the minutes of play and avoiding overload. Today, improvisation has been costly. Against Telstar, NEC showed that their team lacked defensive depth, which resulted in disappointment on the pitch.
This defeat (1-2) against an opponent considered more modest highlights the urgency for NEC to strengthen its defense in order to be competitive at the start of the Eredivisie season.
The rest
With Philippe Sandler's injury and the lack of depth in defense, NEC will have to quickly find solutions to avoid further setbacks. Dick Schreuder could be forced to explore the transfer market to strengthen his squad or trust young players, despite the associated risks. The next meeting will be crucial to determine whether NEC can overcome these challenges and regain their rhythm in the Eredivisie.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the match between NEC and Telstar?
NEC suffered from a lack of defenders against Telstar, which complicated the implementation of coach Dick Schreuder's playing tactics.
Who confirmed the lack of defenders in the NEC team?
Coach Dick Schreuder confirmed the lack of defenders, expressing his dissatisfaction from the start of preparation for the season.
Why is NEC having defense problems right now?
NEC has defensive issues due to the departures of Eli Dasa, Ahmetcan Kaplan and Jetro Willems, as well as a minor injury to Philippe Sandler.
What solutions did Dick Schreuder consider to compensate for the lack of defenders?
Dick Schreuder considered repositio
nner midfielders in defense or starting young players, but these options had negative repercussions on the game.
What changes were necessary for the match against Telstar?
Schreuder had to cobble together a rearguard with poorly positioned or inexperienced players, which affected the fluidity of the team's play.
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