Van Bronckhorst's bold Stengs start fuels Rotterdam fan uproar

Feyenoord’s training session on Saturday against FC Dordrecht will feature a surprising first‑team line‑up announced by manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst, with attacking midfielder Calvin Stengs – fresh from a loan spell at Pisa FC – named in the starting eleven, a decision that left Rotterdam fans bewildered on X at 14:45.

Calvin Stengs, listed as an attacking midfielder and winger, returns to Feyenoord after a loan spell at Italian side Pisa FC. The club had previously assumed his final appearances in a Feyenoord shirt would be completed before the loan.

Rotterdam supporters on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, posted surprised reactions to the inclusion of Stengs in the starting eleven. A selection of those comments was highlighted, underscoring the unexpected nature of the manager’s choice.

Feyenoord’s preparation for the Saturday friendly against FC Dordrecht will serve as the first test for the revised lineup. The training session is scheduled for today, with the match slated for the weekend.

The contrast between the fans’ bewilderment and the manager’s confidence illustrates a growing divide over squad rotation. While some followers question the decision, others view it as an opportunity for Stengs to prove his worth.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s willingness to start a player who recently returned from loan signals a proactive approach to squad depth. The reaction suggests that supporters will closely monitor Stengs’ performance in the upcoming fixture.

If Stengs impresses against FC Dordrecht, his place in future competitive matches could be secured. Conversely, continued skepticism from the fanbase may pressure the coaching staff to adjust their selections.