Excelsior Rotterdam suffered a 2-0 away defeat to NEC Nijmegen in the Eredivisie on Tuesday. The team managed by coach Ruben den Uil failed to impose themselves and registered weak match statistics, as reported by the BBC.
How did the match against NEC unfold?
Excelsior started in a 3-4-3 formation but struggled to gain control of the game. With only 30.9% possession and 72% pass accuracy, their attack never found its rhythm. The Rotterdammers did take fourteen shots, five of which were on target, but goalkeeper Nick Olij only had to make one save. At the other end, the defence was under constant pressure, resulting in sixteen fouls, three yellow cards, and twenty-one clearances. The referee was Erwin Blank, assisted by video assistant referee Laurens Gerrets.
What do the season statistics say?
Despite this setback, Excelsior remains firmly in fourth place in the Eredivisie. They have ten points from five matches, with three wins, one draw, and one loss. Their recent form reads DWWLW. The team has scored twelve goals and conceded five, giving them a +7 goal difference. In the title race, they trail leaders AZ Alkmaar by five points. You can view the full standings for the current league position.
How does Excelsior look back on earlier matches?
The loss in Nijmegen is a stumble after a strong start to the season. Excelsior began with a 3-0 win over Willem II and followed it with a 2-1 victory against Sparta Rotterdam. Their only other league defeat was a 1-2 loss to PSV. There was also a convincing 4-0 win against Cambuur. In a pre-season friendly, they beat De Graafschap 5-1. The fixture against NEC, however, has been a persistent issue: the last three league meetings have all been lost, including a 5-0 defeat in August 2025.
What other key figures emerged from the match?
The match data shows a team forced to defend extensively. Excelsior made twenty-seven tackles, with a 63% success rate. They also completed 296 passes and were caught offside zero times. The team won four corners. These figures, alongside the season's stats, paint a picture of a side that relies on discipline and efficiency.
What's next for Excelsior?
Attention now swiftly turns to the next fixture. Excelsior hosts FC Utrecht this Sunday, September 13th, at Stadion Woudestein. Utrecht currently sits fifteenth in the table, offering a chance to immediately add to the points tally. Preparations for this home match are underway, which you can follow on our fixtures page. Ruben den Uil's squad will be looking for a response.
