There will be no draw in Europa League Group F. Feyenoord leads the dance after four rounds but with as many points as number two, three and four. And that’s a development that Feyenoord coach Arne Slot, who doesn’t see himself as a leader with his team, hadn’t foreseen.

“I really thought that Lazio would run away,” he said when asked on the eve of the away game against Sturm Graz. “And I was hoping for a team to stay behind. At least if we weren’t.”

The trainer categorically denied that his eyes fell on Thursday’s opponents, who suffered a brilliant 6-0 defeat in Rotterdam. “No, I didn’t think about Sturm Graz. They had previously won against Midtjylland and also gave Salzburg a good game in their own competition.”

Curious

“The game in Rotterdam went perfectly for us, especially because almost every chance resulted in a goal. But it didn’t reflect the qualities of Sturm Graz. Absolutely not. That was it because after that they drew Lazio twice . And maybe they were entitled to more.”

Slot and Feyenoord are therefore on their qui vive. Also because feelings of revenge will undoubtedly arise in the Austrian formation. “I realized right after the game in Rotterdam that they will have them. I was curious to see how they would react as a team and as a coach. Then I felt that it wasn’t a team that felt defeated.”

“They have also shown that in the competition and in Europe,” Slot refers to the unbeaten run of nine games since the ears were washed in De Kuip. “I think when you’ve suffered a pretty solid defeat you have a certain feeling as a team. We’ll have that against Lazio next week. But feelings of revenge don’t count.”