Eredivisie

Highlighted: FC Twente fights its way back

19 January 2024

It was a successful Eredivisie weekend for FC Twente. They secured a commendable victory against direct competitor AZ, while the second-placed Feyenoord dropped points against N.E.C. As a result, the chase is officially on, and the Tukkers are solely looking upwards in the coming weeks.

Despite a few setbacks, FC Twente is having more than a satisfactory season. They have already accumulated 37 points in this Eredivisie season (W11, D4, L2), marking their highest point total midway through the Eredivisie season since 2012/13 (37). Should the Tukkers win against N.E.C. this matchweek, it would be only the third time this century that they have reached at least forty points after eighteen rounds, following the championship years of 2009/10 (48) and 2012/13 (also 40 points).

FC Twente demonstrated a crucial weapon last Saturday: the comeback. They garnered points from a trailing position in five matches this season; drawing against FC Utrecht, N.E.C., and Sparta after falling behind, and even winning against Excelsior and AZ. Only Heracles Almelo (11) and Excelsior (10) have secured more points after falling behind this Eredivisie season than FC Twente (9). N.E.C., their upcoming opponent, is also no stranger to comebacks, having earned six points from trailing positions.

Team	Points
Heracles Almelo	11
Excelsior	10
FC Twente	9
N.E.C.	6
PSV	6

In the previous season, FC Twente accumulated a total of eight points after falling behind. Initially, facing a deficit in multiple matches (12 times last season, 7 times this season so far) might not be ideal, but turning it around is indeed a quality. This was evident in their earlier encounter with N.E.C. this season when they were 1-3 down in the 75th minute but eventually secured a 3-3 draw.

Striker finds his form

In that match, FC Twente striker Manfred Ugalde ultimately equalized in the 87th minute. After a somewhat challenging start to the current season, the Costa Rican has been in excellent form in recent weeks. He has been directly involved in seven goals in his last four Eredivisie matches (4 goals, 3 assists), more than any other player in the Eredivisie since December 2023.

13-01-2024 Manfred Ugalde celebrates his 2-1 during the match Twente - AZ

While the striker scored only one goal in the first nine league games this season, he found the net six times in the last eight matches. During this period, he nearly doubled his shot attempts, had over two times the Expected Goals, and his touches in the opponent's box also doubled. With an unleashed Manfred Ugalde, FC Twente has initiated the pursuit of Feyenoord. Saturday first awaits N.E.C. as a dress rehearsal for the direct encounter with the Rotterdammers in matchday 19.