N.E.C. Nijmegen secured a much-needed victory at home on Saturday. Rogier Meijer's side proved too strong for Excelsior, putting an end to a run of disappointing results.
The Nijmegen team started the match brightly and created the best chances in the first half. Twenty minutes before the break, the pressure paid off with the opening goal. After halftime, N.E.C. Managed to extend their lead and maintain control of the game. Excelsior threatened once more late on, but a goal never materialized.
Meijer's Selection
Rogier Meijer opted for an attacking lineup, with several changes from the previous match. The manager expressed satisfaction with his players' response. "We showed today what we are capable of," Meijer said afterwards. "This is the mentality we need."
The win provides a significant boost in the league. N.E.C. Climbs the standings and can look ahead to the coming fixtures with more confidence. The next match is in a week's time, an away game listed on the fixtures page. For the home side, it was the first victory since mid-August. The squad of players who contributed to this performance can be viewed in the squad overview.
Statistically, N.E.C. Dominated the encounter. The Nijmegen side had more possession and more shots on target than their opponents from Rotterdam. These numbers match the image of a team that took the initiative and dictated the play. The defence held firm for long periods and conceded little space, an improvement on recent weeks where more goals were conceded.
The atmosphere in the sold-out Goffertstadion was excellent and contributed to the performance. Supporters saw their team win again after a difficult period. The next task for Meijer and his staff is to maintain this form. The squad returns to training on Monday to prepare for the next league fixture.
