Dutch giants Feyenoord continued their impressive pre-season preparations with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Serie A side Atalanta in an entertaining World Club Friendly. The Rotterdam outfit showcased resilience and attacking quality, overcoming the Italian side thanks to goals from Ayase Ueda and substitute Shaqueel van Persie.
The encounter delivered plenty of excitement, including an early penalty, a dramatic first-half equalizer, tactical substitutions, and a late winner that delighted the home supporters.
Fast Start as Ueda Converts from the Spot
Feyenoord wasted little time stamping their authority on the match.
After an early setback that saw T. Kraaijeveld forced off through injury in the fifth minute, the Dutch side remained composed. Their persistence paid off in the 11th minute when they were awarded a penalty.
Japanese striker Ayase Ueda stepped up confidently and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way, giving Feyenoord a deserved 1-0 lead.
The early goal allowed the Eredivisie club to dictate much of the first-half tempo while Atalanta searched for openings.
Krstović Restores Parity Before the Break
Just when Feyenoord appeared set to head into halftime with the advantage, Atalanta struck deep into stoppage time.
In the 45+6th minute, Nikola Krstović finished clinically after excellent work from Giorgio Scalvini, leveling the score at 1-1.
The equalizer shifted momentum and ensured the second half would be fiercely contested.
Tactical Changes Shape the Contest
Both managers took full advantage of the frenzy by rotating their squads extensively.
Atalanta introduced several experienced names, including:
- Marco Sportiello
- Gianluca Scamacca
- Raoul Bellanova
- Daniel Maldini
- Sead Kolašinac
- Mario Pašalić
Feyenoord also refreshed their lineup, bringing on players who added fresh energy and intensity as the match progressed.
The substitutions increased the pace of the contest while giving both coaches valuable opportunities to assess squad depth ahead of the new campaign.
Van Persie Delivers the Winning Goal
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 81st minute.
Substitute Shaqueel van Persie capitalized on a well-worked attacking move to fire Feyenoord back in front, making it 2-1.
The goal proved decisive as the Dutch side managed the closing stages effectively, denying Atalanta any clear opportunity to find another equalizer.
Despite late pressure from the Italian visitors, Feyenoord held firm to secure an impressive pre-season victory over one of Serie A’s strongest teams.
What the Result Means
While the scoreline carries no competitive consequences, the performance offers plenty of encouragement for Feyenoord supporters.
The victory highlighted the following
- Clinical finishing from Ayase Ueda.
- Positive impact from substitutes, especially Shaqueel van Persie.
- Strong defensive organization during the closing minutes.
- Growing confidence ahead of the upcoming Eredivisie season.
For Atalanta, the match provided valuable minutes for several first-team players while exposing areas that can still be refined before competitive football resumes.
Key Match Highlights
Competition: World Club Friendly
Result: Feyenoord 2-1 Atalanta
Goalscorers:
- 11′ Ayase Ueda (Penalty) – Feyenoord
- 45+6′ Nikola Krstović (Assist: Giorgio Scalvini) – Atalanta
- 81′ Shaqueel van Persie – Feyenoord
Final Thoughts
Feyenoord’s disciplined display and clinical finishing earned them a deserved victory against a high-quality Atalanta side. The match served as another positive step in the Dutch club’s preparations, while Atalanta will look to sharpen their performances before the competitive season begins.
For Kenyan football fans following Europe’s top clubs, this friendly demonstrated how seriously elite teams approach pre-season fixtures, using them to build chemistry, evaluate emerging talent, and fine-tune tactical systems ahead of demanding domestic and European campaigns.
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