After claiming a 3-2 victory on Thursday, Alex Pastoor’s men were buoyed with confidence prior to their short trip north but quickly found the proceedings an uphill battle. Following noteworthy opportunities on either end of the pitch, referee Björn Kuipers placed his defining stamp on the contest with a questionable red-card to Bram Nuytinck at the thirty-second minute after he up-ended Renato Ibarra in charging for a loose ball. The personnel deficit devastated N.E.C.’s tactical plan with much of their play now spent behind the ball in what amounted to a scoreless opening forty-five minutes.

At the re-start John van den Brom’s side prodding quickly and while their efforts fell short, the contest blew wide open at the fiftieth minute as Wilfried Bony running through ball from the circle dissected the N.E.C. defenders before being chased down by Nicky Hofs and lofted over Gábor Babos. Moments before that Navarone Foor received a yellow card that would loom large as at the fifty-fourth minute the mercurial attacker, following a whistle, launched the ball away and received his marching orders for dissent. Now playing with a two man disadvantage, traffic was decidedly one way and with a quarter-hour remaining Wilfried Bony sealed the result as he raced up the centre of the pitch before delivering a low effort to the corner of the net. The N.E.C. tactician called upon Melvin Platje for Ryan Koolwijk in the final stages but there were few chances to change the result and though Jonathan Reis was unable to convert from the spot for the hosts at eighty-seventh minute it made little differecnce as with the final whistle the match concluded 2-0 in favour of Vitesse.

For N.E.C., whilst the ending is a bitter pill to swallow, the season is one to celebrate as they rebounded from an extended period perilously close to relegation to fight for a spot in Europe.

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Coming off last weeks stunning late victory over Zenit Saint Petersburg, Spartak knew that only victory would give them opportunity for the coveted premier berth on the European stage and came onto the pitch with intent. Red-White’s manager Valeriy Karpin made three changes to last weeks line-up as he summoned Nicolás Pareja, Marcos Rojo and Rafael Carioca in for Rodri, Dmitri Kombarov and Emmanuel Emenike. Spartak carved out the first chance of the contest with Artem Dzyuba testing the Railwaymen ‘keeper from distance before taking the one-goal advantage at the twentieth minute. Coming Aiden McGeady’s corner from the left, Marek Suchý sent a looping header from the near post to the far corner of the net. The Red-White’s doubled their advantage at the thirty-ninth minute as Aiden McGeady chased down a through ball on the right channel before delivering a cross from the by-line to the back post that Artem Dzyuba headed into the net. Spartak was in clear control with Lokomotiv’s response was lacking and maintained the two-goal lead through the break.

The complexion of the match changed little after the break with Artem Dzyuba fighting off three Railwayman defenders before sliding the ball to Ari on the right but his effort was easy for goalkeeper Alexander Filtsov to smother. Resolute in defending in the final quarter-hour Mr. Karpin entrusted the lead upon the great promise of the future with Vladimir Obukhov, Alexsandr Zotov and Soslan Gatagov entering for Ari, Rafael Carioca and Aiden McGeady and they managed the charge to the letter. Four plus minutes of added-time ticked down and with referee Sergei Karasev’s final whistle Spartak claimed a brilliant 2-0 victory under the watchful guise of Valeriy Karpin.

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Never short on venom between the two foes, the added allure of a spot on the European stage saw the tension thick from the opening whistle. Play proved to be tight as John van den Brom’s Vitesse side were more inclined to sit on their heels and wait for the countering opportunity, though certainly rainy weather conditions proved problematic. Following a series of modest flirtation on either end of the pitch, the visitors broke the deadlock at the thirty-first minute via a quick counter as Giorgi Chanturia lofted a deep curling cross from the left to the back post for Nicky Hofs who nodded to the opposite corner of the net for the one goal advantage. After a series of sublime stops by Gábor Babos on Wilfried Bony, N.E.C. notched the equaliser four minutes shy of the break as a cross from the left to the back post found Kevin Conboy, with the twenty-four year-old left-back’s header pawed by Vitesse ‘keeper Piet Velthuizen onto the path of Navarone Foor who dutifully side-footed into the net.

Set to the back-drop of an ominous with thunder and lightning storm that caused play to be suspended for quarter-hour, the second half was rife with tension and controversy. Coming at the sixty-first minute, a collision near the circle saw Ryan Koolwijk on the ground but instead of playing the ball out, Vitesse launched forward with Wilfried Bony accepting Nicky Hof’s provision and scoring from the edge of the area. Quickly N.E.C. went on the hunt for the leveller against their rigid visitors with the Nijmegen manager Alex Pastoor calling upon “super-sub”Melvin Platje for Rémy Amieux shortly thereafter but chances were sparing. However with eleven minutes remaining in regulation time, N.E.C.’s efforts were rewarded as referee Eric Braamhaar adjudged Frank van der Struijk a penalty from bringing Género Zeefuik and with the steely calm Lasse Schöne connected from the spot. After Gábor Babos once again denied Wilfried Bony, N.E.C. “smash and grabbed” the winner at the eighty-seventh minute as a cleared corner on the left from Lasse Schöne was returned to the stylish playmaker. Spotting opportunity at the back post he delivered a cross that rattled off the ‘keeper before bounding off Frank van der Struijk and over the line, though Vitesse argued vehemently the ball was cleared before crossing. Following four plus minutes of well buttoned-down added-time, N.E.C. laid claim to the 3-2 victory and one step closer to the Europa League.

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The clash between La Liga forces failed to materialise as Diego Simeone’s dominated from the opening whistle, starting the twenty-six year old attacking dynamo highlight reel goal at the seventh minute. Racing onto the end of Diego’s provision that eased him into the right side of the area the former Porto man dazzled the opposing defenders before creating space from Fernando Amorebieta to launch a booming left footed effort to the far post. After a series of notable advances from Bilbao came up short, Falcao doubled the advantage four-minutes past that half-hour. Coming via a defending error by Fernando Amorebieta, a quick cut back pass from the left by-line to the Columbian international saw him take his time, calmly move the ball to the opposite foot to create an opening before drilling past ‘keeper Gorka Iraizoz from point blank range.

At the break, Bilbao manager Marcelo Bielsa summoned Inigo Pérez and Ibai Gomez for Ander Iturraspe and Jon Aurtenetxe but after a brief flourish Atlético resolute mid-field play slowed their advances. In the final half-hour Markel Susaeta’s effort to ease Bilbao within one was denied by Atlético goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and it seemed the result was fait accompli as Marcelo Bielsa’s side lacked the finishing touch. At the seventy-ninth minute Falcao saw his effort from eleven metres rasp off the woodwork but shortly thereafter Diego put the match out of reach as he surged through the centre of the area past Fernando Amorebieta before sending a low effort to the right corner of the net to give Atlético Madrid a 3-0 victory and seal the Europa League crown.

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Coming off the thrilling draw with AZ, the N.E.C. tactician made a single change to his line-up with Nathaniël Will entering for Rens Van Eijden knowing that only a victory would give his side a chance to overtake RKC Waalwijk. Quick to the whistle the Nijmegen side went on the attack with Género Zeefuik and Ryan Koolwijk narrowly missing to break the deadlock in the opening quarter-hour. After a brief flirtation from the hosts that saw Gábor Babos deny Samuel Armenteros, N.E.C got the break they were looking for one minute shy of the half-hour as match-day referee Tom van Sichem adjudged Antoine van der Linden a penalty for bringing Género Zeefuik down in the area. In the ensuing effort Lasse Schøne pounded the ball crisply into the right corner of the net to give N.E.C. the one goal advantage, which they enjoyed through to the break.

Like a well oiled machine, N.E.C. maintained discipline defending lines with the hosts rarely disturbing Gábor Babos and managed to double the advantage at the sixty-second minute as Lasse Schøne’s surged through on the right before his provision for Género Zeefuik was professionally finished. Almelo pulled one back at the eighty-second minute with veteran Everton rifling the ball to the top left corner but that would be as close as it would get as N.E.C. was resolute in defending through remaining time to lay claim to the 2-1 victory.

For N.E.C. the result was the icing on a stunning campaign that saw the concern of relegation fought off under the sturdy leadership of Alex Pastoor and then vindication with a deserved berth in the Europa League playoffs.

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Coming off last weeks draw with Dynamo, Spartak manager Valeriy Karpin made four changes to his starting eleven with Marek Suchý, Sergei Bryzgalov, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and Dmitri Kombarov entering for Nicolás Pareja, Alexsandr Zotov, Yevgeni Makeev and Rafael Carioca. Excluding a close range effort from Zenit’s Roman Shirokov that rasped off the underside of the cross-bar before bounding to safety, the opening forty-five minutes are best described as “measured” as neither side was willing to press forward, lest be exposed at the back. Much to the dismay of Spartak’s loyal fans who made the trip north, Zenit took the lead at the mid-point of the half via a quick assault that saw Aleksandr Kerzhakov redirect a brilliant lofted volleyed cross from the left into the net.

At the restart Mr. Karpin summoned Rafael Carioca for Ari but complexion of the match changed little as played was resigned to a box to box affair. However with twenty-minutes remaining play shifted into high gear as Emmanuel Emenike made a brilliant surging run towards the right by-line to deliver a cross that Diniyar Bilyaletdinov collected before lashing into the net. With the match quickly turning into a wide open attack, Zenit narrowly missed taking the lead eight minutes later when Viktor Fayzulin spooned an effort over the bar from twelve metres with open goal beckoning. At the eighty-second minute Sergei Semak restored Zenit’s lead as he connected from the spot after referee Vladimir Kazmenko controversially adjudged Dmitri Kombarov for pulling down Viktor Fayzulin in the area. Down by one the Red-Whites shifted into top gear to level two minutes later as Aiden McGeady’s cross from the right into the box bounded to Emmanuel Emenike who then dutifully smashed a left-footed effort past Vyacheslav Malafeev. However in a refereeing decision that is in need of review, Vladimir Kazmenko wrongfully handed Emmanuel Emenike a red-card for his celebration and forced Spartak to play a personnel disadvantage in remaining time. Despite the disadvantage the Red-Whites snatched a 3-2 victory at the eighty-ninth minute as a quick counter on the left lead by Dmitri Kombarov saw the ball played into Artem Dzyuba, who then teed up Rafeal Carioca to rifle into the net.

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Against their Burgundy neighbours AJA showed confidence and took the 1-0 lead at the half-hour mark as Alain Traoré’s surged toward the left by-line and delivered a low cross that was headed into the net by Roy Contout at the near post.

With the one goal advantage Jean-Guy Wallemme’s men looked to the lock down the proceedings and excluding an effort from Brice Jovial that rasped off the cross-bar AJA was in firm control. Still tension was tight until four minutes shy of the end of regulation time when Delvin N’Dinga carved out a delectable run through the centre of the pitch, slithering through the Dijon defenders before pounding the ball past Baptiste Reynet from the edge of the area. The match now effectively fait accompli Auxerre comfortably without stood Dijon’s effort to claim the 2-1 victory and the all-important three points.

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From the opening whistle it was clear Didier Deschamps’ men were prepared to lay siege upon the visitors with César Azpilicueta and André-Pierre Gignac forcing Nancy ‘keeper Guy N’dy Assembé into action. Continuing to press for the go ahead goal, the voices of the Marseillais was answered at the thirty-first minute as Alou Diarra played through Mathieu Valbuena with the latter then shifted the ball to Loïc Rémy for his twelfth goal of the campaign. Nancy responded well but found the going tough as l’OM dug in its heels, maintained ball possession with absolute confidence and defended the advantage through to the break.

The re-start saw little change as les Olympiens were in confident control of the proceedings and once again Guy N’dy Assembé pressed into action to deny Benoît Cheyrou. In the final twenty-minutes approached M. Deschamps summoned Jordan Ayew for Loïc Remy and it was not long until the young attacker posted a menacing effort that narrowly missed doubling the advantage. In the fina breaths of the contest, l’OM keeper Steve Mandanda stood boldly to deny former Monaco man Sébastien Puygrenier before Salif Sané’s last gasp effort was stopped to provide l’OM the 1-0 victory.
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Quick to the whistle, N.E.C. started boldly with an early left wing cross by Zoltán Szélesi at the second minute flittering wide of the far post. Maintaining pressure, the hosts took the 1-0 lead two minutes shy of the quarter-hour in a sublime build-up of play that saw Kevin Conboy complete an overlapping run with a cut-back cross that bounded to Navarone Foor at the top of the box. Seizing the opportunity the twenty year-old attacker lashed an effort quickly with Género Zeefuik deflecting the ball with a brilliant back-heel into the net. Though AZ posed a series of noteworthy advances through to the break, N.E.C. repelled the efforts to take the one goal advantage to the change rooms.

At the re-start the complexion changed little with the hosts displaying a bold confidence against their high-flying visitors. However four minutes shy of the hour, Simon Poulsen’s low cross from the left by-line was nodded into the net by Rasmus Elm at the near post. Now deadlocked Gábor Babos did well to deny Erik Falkenburg from point blank range before N.E.C. manager Alex Pastoor called upon “super-sub” Melvin Platje for Rémy Amieux with nineteen minutes remaining in regulation time. A consistent menace going forward, Melvin Platje narrowly missed with the winner, with Lasse Schøne unable to get his boot to a high probability chance late and without further incident the final whistle sounded in a 1-1 draw, honours even.

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From the most recent encounter, Spartak manager Valeriy Karpin made three changes to his line-up as he ushered in Rodri, a fully fit Kirill Kombarov and Alexsandr Zotov for Marek Suchy, Sergey Bryzgalov and Dmitri Kombarov. Dynamo struck quick as following a close range miss by Kevin Kurányi, the former Schalke 04 striker made amends for his miscue by latching onto Aleksandr Samedov’s provision following a turnover in the Spartak end to rifle the ball into the bottom left corner of the net at the third minute. The Red-Whites quickly issued their riposte with Artem Dzyuba, Evgeni Makeev and Aiden McGeady coming within a hushed whisper of the equaliser. After Aleksandr Samedov volleyed a close range effort off the cross-bar the contest went the break with Dynamo holding the one goal advantage.

The Red-Whites returned from the break with venomous intent and levelled at the forty-seventh minute via a quick assault led by Emmanuel Emenike. Surging through the right channel the twenty-four year-old Nigerian striker slid the ball to Ari on the left who after seeing two efforts block coyly delivered the equaliser to the bottom left corner of the net. Applying the petrol, Spartak poured forward with Artem Dzyuba lofting a sublime cross from the right to Aiden McGeady but the final touch drifted agonisingly wide. Following Artem Rebrov’s confident stop of Aleksandr Kokorin from the left edge of the area the match concluded as a 1-1 draw, honours even.

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