Feyenoord came from behind to beat Como 3-2 at Stadion Feijenoord on matchday 2 of the UEFA Champions League league stage. Assane Diao put the Italian side ahead in the 18th minute, but two goals from Zechiël and Hadj-Moussa turned the game around before a frantic finish in which an own goal and a 90th-minute strike from T. Douvikas gave Como hope they could not convert. Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side held on for three points despite conceding twice in the final nine minutes.
Key Moments
- 18′, Assane Diao opens the scoring for Como, converting from a pass by Jacobo Ramón Naveros to give the visitors an early lead.
- 20′, Feyenoord level almost immediately. Zechiël finishes from a Valente assist to make it 1-1 just two minutes after falling behind.
- 23′, Como make an early enforced change, bringing on Jesús Rodríguez for Assane Diao, who had just scored but was taken off.
- 45′, Valente, who set up Zechiël’s equaliser, is substituted at half-time. Diarra comes on and immediately becomes a factor in the second half.
- 52′, Hadj-Moussa puts Feyenoord ahead for the first time. Diarra, only on the pitch for minutes, provides the assist just two minutes after receiving a yellow card.
- 81′, Robert Sánchez turns the ball into his own net, making it 3-1 and appearing to put the match beyond Como.
- 90′, T. Douvikas pulls one back for Como in stoppage time, finishing to set up a nervy final few moments, but Feyenoord see out the win.
Tactical Breakdown
The scoreline flatters neither side in terms of expected goals. Feyenoord finished with an xG of 0.61 despite scoring three times, while Como generated 1.30 xG and lost. The hosts managed 13 shots to Como’s 11, but the decisive difference was their ability to convert moments of transition into goals. Zechiël and Hadj-Moussa, Feyenoord’s two standout performers, combined for six goal contributions across the season’s opening two games and were the main reason Van Bronckhorst’s 4-3-3 functioned when it mattered most.
The pivotal tactical moment came at half-time, when Van Bronckhorst withdrew Valente, who had already provided an assist, and introduced Diarra. The substitute was booked within five minutes of coming on, yet still managed to lay on the goal that gave Feyenoord the lead at 52 minutes. Como responded at the hour mark with a triple substitution, bringing on Jesús Rodríguez, L. da Cunha, Anastasios Douvikas and Yan Couto to change the shape, but the damage had already been done. The triple change injected pace and directness, and it was Douvikas who pulled a goal back in the 90th minute.
Como’s xG advantage tells a story of wasted chances rather than tactical failure. Cesc Fàbregas’s side had 52 percent possession and completed more passes than Feyenoord, but their best opportunities went unconverted. The own goal by Robert Sánchez at 81 minutes gave them a lifeline but there was not enough time for a full recovery, despite Douvikas’s late strike. Losing Assane Diao to an injury-related substitution as early as the 23rd minute also disrupted whatever attacking rhythm Como had built.
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Verdict
Three points from two UEFA Champions League appearances gives Feyenoord a reasonable early return, though the manner of this win, riding their xG numbers heavily, suggests Van Bronckhorst still has work to do to make his side more reliable. Como, who won their opening league stage fixture, pick up their first loss and will need to sharpen their finishing if their xG numbers are not going to haunt them as the campaign develops.