A mounting injury crisis at Feyenoord ahead of their Champions League group stage opener against Celtic threatens to shift the odds in favour of the Scottish champions.
Ayase Ueda, the club’s standout forward, is the latest to join the list of casualties, further compounding the challenges the Dutch side faces.
Ueda, during an impressive display in Japan’s 4-1 friendly triumph over Germany, limped off the pitch. The Japanese striker has since been diagnosed with a foot injury, and while the 25-year-old remains hopeful for a swift recovery, his participation against Celtic is now under a cloud of uncertainty.
Feyenoord manager, Arne Slot, already had his hands full with first-choice striker Santiago Gimenez serving a suspension for the initial two group stage matches. With Ueda’s injury, Slot’s attacking options seem severely limited, leaving Calvin Stengs as the sole fit and available forward for the impending European clash.
But the challenges don’t end there. Goalkeeper Justin Bijlow is ruled out after a wrist fracture. Meanwhile, Lutsharel Geertruida’s involvement is also in question. The defender, after a training incident with the Dutch national team, missed the match against Ireland and remains a doubt for the game against the Bhoys. [RecordSport]
For Celtic, the situation at Feyenoord could present a golden opportunity as Brendan Rodgers’ side has their sights set on establishing their supremacy in Europe.
