◆2 sources
FC Groningen coach Dick Lukkien said he would field the strongest possible team for the cup match against FC Emmen, while making a limited number of changes where appropriate. He said he also had to manage the season rather than focus only on the next match.
It remained unclear whether Thom van Bergen would play. The match follows Groningen's tactical approach against NEC, which had been described as particularly effective before half-time.
8 sources
FC Groningen beat Excelsior 5-1 at Stadion Woudestein in Rotterdam. The visitors moved into sixth place in the Eredivisie with 14 points, one point behind fifth-placed Ajax.
15 sources
Ajax drew 1-1 with NEC in the Eredivisie at the Johan Cruijff ArenA. Tolu Arokodare put Ajax ahead in the sixth minute, but Tjaronn Chery equalised from the penalty spot after Jorthy Mokio was judged to have fouled Noé Lebreton. Mokio later hit the crossbar, while debutant Simon Adingra and other substitutes could not produce a winner. The result was Ajax’s fourth league match without a home win this season. After eight matches, Ajax remained fifth with 15 points, five behind leaders Feyenoord.
8 sources
NEC beat Dinamo Zagreb 4-2 away in the Europa League for its first win in the competition and its first victory in all competitions since August. Clement Bischoff opened the scoring after Noé Lebreton had hit the bar, but Dinamo turned the match around through two goals by Dion Beljo. Bryan Linssen equalised with a header before half-time. NEC regained the lead in the 54th minute when Linssen’s effort was touched by Tjaronn Chery, and Chery added a fourth goal with a long-range shot in the 80th minute. The win followed a 5-0 defeat by Juventus and a 1-1 home draw with Levski Sofia in NEC’s first two Europa League matches.