Utrecht emerged victorious with a 3-1 win over NEC Nijmegen in the Eredivisie, a match held at the Goffertstadion. The visitors took control early, with Ángel Alarcón scoring in the 5th minute from a Gjivai Zechiël assist. Zechiël then doubled the lead just before halftime, this time assisted by Artem Stepanov, setting the tone for Utrecht's commanding performance.
First Half Dominance by Utrecht
Utrecht's early aggression paid off quickly, with Alarcón finding the back of the net in the 5th minute, thanks to Zechiël's incisive play. NEC Nijmegen struggled to respond, their attempts hampered by a yellow card to S. Ouaissa in the 25th minute. Utrecht continued to press, and Zechiël's goal in the 45th minute cemented their first-half dominance.
NEC's Response Falls Short
In the second half, Yoann Cathline extended Utrecht’s lead with a goal in the 49th minute. NEC managed to pull one back through Darko Nejašmić in the 59th minute, but it wasn't enough to alter the outcome. Despite their 76% possession and 24 shots, NEC couldn't translate dominance into goals, highlighting their struggles in front of goal.
Key Players and Tactical Insights
Zechiël was instrumental, not only scoring but also orchestrating plays, as shown by his key passes and an 8 player rating. NEC’s Kodai Sano was active with numerous dribbles and duels but lacked support. Utrecht’s compact 4-3-3 formation facilitated quick transitions, which NEC's 3-4-2-1 struggled to contain.
Looking Ahead
NEC will need to address their conversion rate as they prepare for upcoming matches. Utrecht, buoyed by this performance, will aim to maintain their momentum. With Zechiël and Alarcón in form, Utrecht pose a significant threat to other league contenders.
