Feyenoord Unveils Starting Lineup for 2025 Season Opener Against FC Utrecht

Feyenoord‘s head coach Brian Priske has revealed his starting lineup for the first match of the 2025 Eredivisie season against FC Utrecht. The match, set to take place on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at De Kuip stadium, will see significant changes in the midfield due to the absence of key players Quinten Timber and In-Beom Hwang.

Priske has opted for Ramiz Zerrouki and Calvin Stengs to fill the midfield roles, while Justin Bijlow retains his position as goalkeeper. The defensive line remains unchanged, with Read, Trauner, Hancko, and Bueno holding the backline. The attacking trio of Hadj Moussa, Gimenez, and Paixão will lead Feyenoord’s offense.

FC Utrecht’s coach Ron Jans expressed confidence ahead of the match, stating, ‘Feyenoord does a lot of things very well, especially in disrupting play. We need to ensure we can handle that pressure and play our game.’ Jans referenced last season’s encounter, where Feyenoord overcame a 2-0 deficit to win 4-2, emphasizing the importance of maintaining composure.

Feyenoord’s lineup includes several young talents, such as Milambo and Zechiël, who are expected to make an impact. Priske’s decision to start Zerrouki has sparked discussions among fans, with some questioning his recent form. However, the coach appears to be banking on Zerrouki’s experience and chemistry with Hadj Moussa.

The match marks the beginning of a crucial second half of the season for Feyenoord, who currently sit fourth in the Eredivisie standings. A strong performance against FC Utrecht, who are third, could help close the gap in the league table.