FC Twente have drawn Sunday’s home game in the Eredivisie against Vitesse. FC Twente certainly were the dominant side, especially in the second half, at the Grolsch Veste, but failed to score any goals despite their supremacy. It marked the first time in 42 Eredivisie matches that FC Twente failed to find the back of the net.
First half
The Tukkers went looking to take charge early on, but lacked speed in their passing game to take any of the visitors by surprise. Vitesse were keen to stay back and look for the break. At this stage of the game, no real opportunities would offer themselves to either side. After a little over fifteen minutes of play FC Twente nearly went down a goal as Peter Wisgerhof’s ball back to Mihaylov put in Bony with the interception. The Ivorian’s chip ended up in the side netting. Shortly after Ola John managed Twente’s first stab at it, although the home side’s first real goal-scoring opportunity was to come off a set piece; Luuk de Jong heading just wide off a Chadli free kick. Chadli then had a chance himself just before the break. The Belgian midfielder swivelled his way through the Arnhem defence, his shot lacking sufficient vigour to put the home side in front.
Second half
Co Adriaanse’s men again found it hard to break the visitor’s defence at the beginning of the second half. Vitesse weren’t letting up at all at the back and FC Twente weren’t able to find any way through or around. Danger man in red, Nacer Chadli, came closest with a careful drive, but once again he found an excellent Velthuizen in his way. After about an hour’s play, the Tukkers began to find their stride. Austrian striker Marc Janko came on the field in place of Ola John, as Adriaanse beefed up the Twente attack. The extra man up front led to several chances at a goal for Chadli – shot blocked by Velthuizen – with Fer heading just wide too, moments earlier. Twente went all out for the win towards the end of the match, as they also brought on Emir Bajrami. In doing so, they accepted the risk of giving away space at the back, and nearly paid the price on several occasions. As Büttner made a lone run straight towards Mihaylov, the Bulgarian goalkeeper saved the day for the cup holders. Despite desperate efforts by FC Twente to bag the full three points, Vitesse’s defence held firm in the end.