Robin van Persie believes his Feyenoord crew can spring a shock towards Inter to succeed in the quarter-finals of the Champions League on Tuesday.
Van Persie, who was appointed as Brian Priske’s successor final month, watched on as his aspect have been overwhelmed 2-0 within the first leg of their spherical of 16 conflict final week.
And their job is made much more tough with the second leg happening on the iconic San Siro, with Feyenoord additionally having a dismal report towards groups from Italy.
Certainly, Feyenoord are winless of their final eight away matches towards Italian sides in European competitors (D3 L5), and haven’t managed to win any of their 12 general matches there by greater than a single objective (W2 D3 L7).
They’re given only a 3% likelihood of reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League in accordance with Opta’s data-led simulations. Solely PSV Eindhoven (0%) have a decrease likelihood after they have been thrashed 7-1 by Arsenal.
“The fantastic thing about sport is that there’s all the time hope, even when folks suppose there may be little likelihood,” Van Persie instructed a press convention on Monday.
The Feyenoord supervisor has had solely two video games in cost since taking on, together with the primary leg the place his aspect have been completely outplayed.
“It’s clear that we need to shock everybody. The expectation now could be that it’s hopeless for us,” Van Persie added.
“Nicely, I don’t suppose so. We’ve got an opportunity to win towards a really sturdy Inter, however then we’ve got to be at our greatest.”
Throughout their 26 away matches within the Champions League, Feyenoord – who path by two objectives within the tie – have solely ever managed one victory by greater than a single objective. That victory did come earlier this season, nevertheless, beating Benfica 3-1 on the Estadio da Luz in October.
And Van Persie added that his gamers should consider that they will overturn the deficit to succeed in the ultimate eight of the competitors.
“Crucial message I’m giving forward of this match is consider in your self, consider in one another. I’ve seen crazier issues occur over time,” Van Persie mentioned.
“We’re dealing with an enormous problem collectively, however we’re not working away from it. I believe the gamers we’ve got now are actually good.
“We’re going to do it with these guys and the assumption is there. There’s no level in speaking about different situations.”
With Feyenoord not in motion this weekend, Van Persie watched Simone Inzaghi’s aspect come from two objectives all the way down to beat Monza 3-2 to stay on the Serie A summit.
“They (Inter) all the time do the identical factor, in attacking and switching. They usually do it extremely nicely.
“On the one hand that may be a large problem, however however it additionally presents alternatives. We don’t count on Inter to do something totally different tomorrow evening.
“However there are additionally alternatives towards a really sturdy crew,” he added.
Nonetheless, Feyenoord must cope with out injured Brazilian attacker Igor Paixao, one in all their prime performers this season, after he was harm in coaching on Monday.
“It’s actually a blow that Igor Paixao shouldn’t be there. We’re not assuming a long-term damage however we’ll take a look at that within the coming days,” Van Persie added.
