Today the home game against Sparta. After the European game against Atletico last Tuesday, this is another challenge. Sparta is originally a difficult opponent and they want to compete again after a few years away to play in the champions league after the winter break. So we have been warned. We start well and try to put plenty of pressure on the Spartan goal. And after twenty minutes we managed to get the ball to Gianluca via Lennerd on the left via a fast and well-executed attack. So the start is made. But Sparta did not want to be outplayed and went on the attack. After 25 minutes there is a good save from Youri and a corner. After taking the corner it is Gianluca who saves on the goal line. But he saves with his arm. So penalty. More annoying is the fact that Gianluca gets a red card for this action. The pingel is shot. And now with ten men. 1-1. Sparta spotted an opportunity and five minutes later a free kick just outside the penalty area was awarded and the Spartan shot in. 1-2.
We have to do something now. Even with ten men. So into the attack. On the stroke of half-time it is Lennerd who enters the sixteen with the ball and is stopped irregularly. Whistle and Penalty. Leandro grabs the ball under his arm and as befits a captain he shoots it in impeccably. 2-2. And rest.
After the break we have to come up with something to at least try not to give away that one point. But then it turns out that Sparta actually likes it and is more keen than us to take that one point back to Rotterdam. Youri was busier in the time we played with eleven than in the hour we played with ten men. So we still try to get those extra two points but we don't manage to do that. So we play with ten men and get a deserved point, which maybe should have been three.
Next Wednesday we play AZ. Then we can play again. So men, on to Wednesday.
And we all know: no kite has ever flown without a headwind.
Goodbye.

Roulaix, Hattu, Soulas, Theunissen, Bannani, Sadilek, Piroe (88th Scheepers), Fernandes, Scamacca, Lonwijk (76th Kun), Daneels.