Preview: Fortuna Sittard - FC Groningen
We had to wait a while, but Fortuna Sittard will play again next weekend in its own Fortuna Sittard Stadium. PhD candidate FC Groningen makes the journey to the deep south. A look ahead.
The basics
Fortuna Sittard - FC Groningen will be played on Saturday, October 26. The kick-off is at 4:30 PM in the Fortuna Sittard Stadium. The match is led by Erwin Blank, Martijn Vos takes place behind the VAR. The match can be seen on ESPN2. Not in the stadium? Once again you can visit the live blog to stay informed of the latest developments, or tune in to the radio report from media partner L1.
FC Groningen this season
FC Groningen is FC Groningen again, literally. The northerners started the season with no fewer than twelve selection players from their own youth academy. After a disappointing season, which resulted in relegation, the team had to rebuild. This happened with trial and error, so that promotion was only secured on the last match day, in a mutual duel with competitor Roda JC. Thus, the Pride of the North returned to the Eredivisie after a one-year absence.
The team of head coach Dick Lukkien started the season strongly as PhD students. The first five league matches were not lost, with two wins and three draws. However, the last four matches were lost, causing FC Groningen to drop slightly in the rankings. The team currently occupies thirteenth place in the rankings.
Eye-catcher
Due to FC Groningen's strong start, several players were highlighted in the national media. Etienne Vaessen kept the team going several times, Leandro Bacuna took his childhood sweetheart by the hand in matches and Luciano Valente is perhaps the next pearl from the Groningen youth academy. The real eye-catcher this season is another youth player; Jorg Schreuders. The attacker drew attention to him before the start of the season, due to some difficulties with extending his contract. Ultimately, the contract was broken up, extended and the focus returned to football. Schreuders showed his feet, scored three times and provided an assist, and was named Eredivisie Talent of the Month in August.
Fortuna-update
Fortuna is encouraged at home by an almost sold-out stadium. Almost all regular tickets have been sold, the last tickets can still be purchased online. There will therefore be no cash register sales on match day.
The selection of head coach Danny Buijs is almost complete, only the long-injured Kaj Sierhuis will not play against his former employer from Groningen.
Details
There is a good chance that Ivo Pinto will play his hundredth match in Sittard's yellow-green against FC Groningen. The counter is at 99 prior to the match against the northerners.
For a more detailed preview, read the online competition booklet. This can be found here from Saturday morning.