Bosschaart proud of Feyenoord’s ‘aggression and passion’: “We’ve been here for two days” | OneFootball

Pascal Bosschaart was understandably on cloud nine after Feyenoord beat AC Milan in the Champions League in his first game in charge.

The Italian media spoke before the game about a Feyenoord side that are ‘in the midst of a storm’. They are fifth in the Eredivisie, 12 points behind Ajax, having lost their best played nine days ago and having sacked their head coach on Monday.

Bosschaart took charge of his first match as head coach of the senior side, and what an occasion to do it. Until three days ago he was coaching the Under 21s, he does not even have the right license to coach the first team and he had many injury issues to contend with.

Yet, his side pulled off a 1-0 win thanks to Igor Paixao’s early goal and now take a lead back to Italy. Bosschaart spoke to Ziggo Sport and in his press conference after the game to share his emotions after what was a special night personally and for the team, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.

Pascal, how do you feel?

“It doesn’t have much to do with me. The boys have already shown that they know how to play football and that they know how to fight. I’ve dotted the i’s. Etienne and John [Reijnen and De Wolf, his assistants] have also worked hard, but we’ve been here for two days, you can’t say it’s my merit.”

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Feyenoord can now dream of qualification…

“I hope that such a scenario will come true. I didn’t dream it, but it’s a beautiful scenario. I’m super happy and super proud. The boys have worked hard and used their strengths. I’m a happy man.”

Did the game go as you planned?

“We changed the plan a bit, but it was already good. We played very well in defense, with a knife between our teeth and, in some phases, with high pressure. We took the first step, it’s nice. 1-0 is not a very safe position, but the first step has been taken.”

What kind of match was it?

“We knew how to face them. Paixao had a lot of one-on-ones, we had some good moments.”

Image: AC Milan

What did you enjoy the most?

“It’s not a dream, but I expected something, yes. I hoped for it, then when it happens you’re happy.”

What did you do in the last few hours?

“The team played well even before, playing with aggression and passion. They know how to do it. I only gave them confidence. This match cost us a lot of energy. We’ll see. Today we did well in defence.

“We also saw some good moments of football. The opponent is of a very high level with high-quality players: it was an attractive match for the people here.”