After just escaping the bottom three last season, NAC Breda will be hoping for a much improved campaign as the Eredivisie gets underway this weekend.
- By Michael Bell
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NAC looked safe for most of the last season, but a run of eleven games without a win saw them just avoid the bottom three, and complete the season in 15th spot. The Breda side have been busy adding new recruits to the side this summer, and coach Nebijsa Gudelj will be hoping his side can push for the top ten.
Transfers:
There have been a number of changes at NAC this summer, with striker Alex Schalk, defender Kees Kwakman, and midfielder Jordy Buijs all leaving the club, while six new players have arrived. Erik Falkenburg, who starred on loan at Go Ahead Eagles last season has joined on a free, left back Remy Amieux comes in from RKC, and exciting young attacker Kingsley Boeteng has signed from AC Milan. Youngsters Joeri de Kamps, and Andries Noppert also come in alongside Macedonian defender Aleksander Damcevski. NAC are still active in the market and hope to re-sign Chelsea striker Stipe Perica back on loan, after he spent last season at the Rat Verlegh Stadion.
Pre-Season:
NAC have had an excellent and encouraging pre-season, with the club winning eight of their matches,and only losing two. NAC beat Ooosterhout 6-0, Victoria 03 10-0, DSE 16-0, Zundertse 7-0, Bruse Boys 4-0, Volendam 2-0, Crete 1-0 and Madese Boys 6-0. The two defeats came against Dundee United, and Sparta Rotterdam, with the score 2-1 in both.
Strongest NAC XI: Rouwelaar, De Roover, Drost, Van der Weg, Amieux, Matic, Swerts, Falkenburg, Boateng, Hooi, Tighadouini
Key Players:
Jelle Ten Rouwelaar: The 33-year-old is the leader of NAC Breda, and a rock solid goalkeeper that is hard to beat. Rouwelaar kept eight clean sheets last season, which helped keep the club out of the bottom three by three points in the end. If NAC didn’t have Rouwelaar last season they may be playing in the Eerste Divisie this season.
Uros Matic: The Serbian midfielder signed from Benfica’s b team last season, and proved to be a real class act in the 14 matches he played. The brother of Chelsea star Nemanja Matic, Uros is heading into his first full season at NAC, and his dominant play in midfield will be crucial if the club are to progress higher than last year.
Young player to watch:
Kingsley Boeteng: After signing from AC Milan this summer, the 20-year-old attacker is already raising eyebrows after scoring four goals in three pre-season matches, and it appears NAC may have a real player on their hands. Capable of playing on the wing or through the middle, Boeteng is strong and quick, and should cause Eredivisie defences a lot of problems.
Prediction: NAC may have survived last season by the skin of their teeth, but i predict this season will be a much more comfortable one for the Breda side. Falkenburg, and Boeteng look like good signings, and if they can sign another striker before the window shuts, then the club should be looking at a mid-table finish.
My Prediction: 10-12th
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