Alex Schalk in Breda colors
For its first friendly match of the off-season, Servette will play against NAC Breda (Tuesday January 7). This name probably means something to you. Indeed, it is the training club of our former striker Schalk nicknamed the Breda bomb.
HISTORY OF BREDA
Dutch club, Breda had its hour of glory during the 1920-21 season by becoming champion. They also won the Dutch Cup in 1972-73. Suffice to say, all the same, that all this is dated. In recent years, the club has moved between the first and second Dutch divisions.
On the European scene, Breda participated in three campaigns. In 1976-68, Breda took part in the European Cup Winners’ Cup as unsuccessful cup finalists to the Netherlands and were eliminated in the second round. In 1979-74, he participated again in the same competition, eliminated directly in the first round. Ultimately, their best run will be during the 2009-10 season. Starting in the second of four Europa League qualifying rounds, they crushed Armenians Gandzasar Kapan, winning 2-0 away and 6-0 in the Netherlands. They therefore found themselves qualified against the Poles of KP Polonia Warsaw who had finished fourth in the Polish championship. They won 3-1 at home then 1-0 away. They were therefore able to reach the final qualifying round, but they were crushed by Villarreal (1-3 in the first leg, 1-6 in the return).
CURRENT SITUATION
Last season Breda finished in 8th place in the second division. Last qualified for the promotion play-offs. The yellow and black beat everyone at the post to take the promoted place. Newly promoted to the Eredivisie, Breda is having a good season 10th in the championship with 10 points ahead of the first relegation and the same number of points as Willem II in the fight for play-off places for the Conference League.
The team’s value according to Transfermarkt stands at 18.75 million. A value well raised by the contribution of Leo Sauer loaned by Feyenoord which alone is worth 5 million. He is also the only player on the team with significant value, because the average of the other players is around 400K. Suffice to say that Servette should normally be the clear favorite even if all this is quite subjective given that it is a friendly match.
Léo Sauer, the young 19-year-old Slovakian prospect on loan from Feyenoord
No serial scorer in this team, because many players can score, there are 11 of them who have shaken the opposing nets this season, but certain players are worth watching closely. Starting with Léo Sauer (young 19-year-old Slovak player, loaned this season as explained before) who plays on the left wing, author of 3 goals this season. Elías Már Ómarsson (Iceland) the center forward who also scored three times and offered two goal assists. Dominik Janosek the Czech corridor player with these 3 assists and two goals as well as Jan Van den Bergh, the experienced 30-year-old Belgian central defender who played for Gantoise who despite his position on the field is to be credited with two goals and two assists .
This season Breda has scored 19 goals and conceded 27. The team is capable of scoring from free kicks (2 out of 7 attempts). An average of 10.4 shots per match including 4 shots on target. 117 shots within the opposing 16 meters (16 goals) and 60 shots outside the penalty area for 3 goals. So much for the offensive statistics.
THE STADIUM
The Breda stadium is called Rat Verlegh, it takes its name from the club’s most emblematic player, Antoon Verlegh, a former Dutch international who played for the club between 1912 and 1931. This 19,000-seat stadium was inaugurated in 1997. The team is used to playing in a full stadium because the average attendance for their 8th championship match is 18,600.
Let’s hope that Servette builds up his confidence before returning to Geneva and completing his preparation for the restart. A special thought for Alex Schalk for whom this match must represent a little special even if it remains only a friendly match.
Looking forward to recovery.
Come on Servette!!!
Par Steve
