Giovanni van Bronckhorst kept faith with the same Feyenoord starting XI for Wednesday’s 18:45 Champions League meeting with Como, making no changes from the side that beat AZ 2-0.
The decision shows a clear vote of confidence in the group that delivered the previous result, especially with Feyenoord still trying to steady itself after the heavy 5-1 loss to FC Barcelona the previous month. Rather than reshuffle the lineup, van Bronckhorst went with continuity again for a home match that carries added importance in the group stage.
Same team, same message
Feyenoord’s unchanged selection suggests the coach wanted consistency more than experimentation. The same XI that handled AZ stays in place for Como, which means the club is leaning on the players who have already shown they can deliver in a difficult stretch.
One notable squad detail is Tsuyoshi Watanabe, who was back to full fitness but available only as a substitute. That gives Feyenoord another option on the bench without forcing a change to the starting lineup, and it offers the coach another defensive piece if the match requires one later on.
For Feyenoord, the key issue is not just the lineup itself, but what it represents. After the setback against FC Barcelona, the club has the chance to show stability at home, and van Bronckhorst is clearly trusting the same core to do it.
Como arrive with Feyenoord’s lineup now confirmed, but the Dutch side has made its position plain: the same starters that beat AZ get the next opportunity, and Watanabe waits for his chance from the bench.
