Anthony Correia's debut loss sparks 5‑3‑2 overhaul at FC Utrecht

FC Utrecht manager Anthony Correia suffered a 1‑2 defeat in his unofficial debut on Saturday, as De Graafschap won the friendly at Galgenwaard. The loss marked the first public appearance of Correia's new side and set the tone for his tactical plans.

The friendly took place on Saturday at Galgenwaard stadium. De Graafschap emerged victorious with a 2‑1 scoreline over FC Utrecht.

After the final whistle, Correia addressed the camera of RTV Utrecht, stating, “It’s never nice to lose.” He acknowledged the disappointment but emphasized the match’s learning value.

Correia revealed his tactical ambition to install a 5‑3‑2 formation at Galgenwaard. He cautioned that the transition will require time before the system functions smoothly.

He told his squad from day one, “We’re going on an adventure together. We will try things, things will go wrong, and if they do, it’s on me, so don’t worry.” The coach positioned himself as fully accountable for any errors.

Having arrived from Telstar, Correia brought his philosophy to Utrecht. He explained, “I have challenged my players, and sometimes things go wrong. So this is completely on me.”

Correia expects the 5‑3‑2 system to become clearer as the squad gains experience. He indicated that upcoming fixtures will test the new approach.