Eredivisie

Highlighted: Fortuna Sittard, the ‘Atlético Madrid’ of the Netherlands

16 October 2025

Fortuna Sittard have become a familiar name in the Eredivisie, with the Limburg club now competing at the highest level for the eighth consecutive season. Under Danny Buijs, in charge for a third straight year, Fortuna have once again moulded themselves into a difficult side to beat. The ‘Diego Simeone of Sittard’ continues to lead his team with grit, organisation and belief as they push towards another season of safety.

Best start in 35 years

Fortuna Sittard have begun the current campaign in outstanding form, collecting 13 points from their opening nine matches (four wins and one draw). It’s only the third time in the club’s history that they could reach at least 16 points after nine Eredivisie fixtures — the last occasions coming 35 years ago, in 1990/91 (16 points) and 1985/86 (17 points).

As in previous seasons, survival remains the primary goal, but this strong start has already put that target well within reach. According to Opta’s season simulations, Fortuna finish in the bottom three in just 4.6% of scenarios.

Édouard Michut, Ryan Fosso and Mohammed Ihattaren after the win against FC Utrecht.

Early goals and solid defence

Fortuna go about things differently from most Dutch sides. While many teams prioritise attacking football, Sittard focus on structure, resilience and defensive discipline. It’s no surprise the club has earned the nickname “the Atlético Madrid of the Low Countries” — or simply “Atlético Sittard” — led by their own ‘Diego Simeone of Sittard’.

Their final match before the international break was a classic Atleti-style display: a hard-fought 1–0 victory over FC Volendam. Since the start of last season, Fortuna have won seven Eredivisie matches by a 1–0 or 0–1 scoreline — more than any other team in the league. Buijs’s preferred game plan is clear: strike early, then defend the lead with control and discipline.

So far, that formula has worked perfectly. Fortuna have scored the opening goal inside the first 15 minutes on four occasions this season:

4th minute vs N.E.C. Nijmegen (3–2 win)
2nd minute vs Telstar (3–1 win)
15th minute vs FC Utrecht (1–0 win)
8th minute vs FC Volendam (1–0 win)

No side has done so more often this se

Paul Gladon scored after 2 (!) minutes against Telstar.

Attacking play

It’s no surprise that Fortuna Sittard don’t rank highly in this season’s attacking statistics. Over the last five league matches, only PEC Zwolle have registered fewer shots (42) and shots on target (10) than Fortuna (45 shots, 16 on target). The Limburg side also recorded the fewest touches inside the opposition box (80, level with Heracles Almelo) and the fewest successful passes in the final third (58 compared to 251).

Danny Buijs won’t be losing sleep over those numbers. His team make the most of their chances and currently sit eighth in the table — comfortably in the top half. Only the current top four sides have spent a smaller percentage of total match time trailing this season (26%).

Mattijs Branderhorst

Mattijs Branderhorst – the key figure

This summer, goalkeeper Mattijs Branderhorst joined the club permanently after a successful loan spell — a crucial signing given Fortuna’s style of play. Since the start of last season, Fortuna have averaged 1.4 points per game and conceded just 1.4 goals per match with Branderhorst between the posts. Without the 31-year-old, those figures drop sharply to 0.7 points and 2.5 goals conceded per game. The comparison to Jan Oblak is, therefore, not without reason.

Branderhorst has kept a clean sheet in one of every three matches. Only Chris Körver boasts a slightly better record in the club’s history. Though that could change if Branderhorst records another clean sheet this weekend.

Will Fortuna Sittard make it another win? Find out on Sunday 19 October at 14:30 CET, when they visit Excelsior Rotterdam.