SOCCER
How did Feyenoord’s Santi Giménez respond to Cuauhtémoc Blanco criticism?
Giménez has defended the Dutch league after Mexico great Blanco sought to do down the striker’s achievements in the Netherlands.
Santi Giménez has defended the standard of the Dutch league, after Mexico legend Cuauhtémoc Blanco claimed the Feyenoord striker is earning overly rave reviews for his performances in the Eredivisie.
“With all due respect, we’re talking about the Netherlands,” Blanco told an interview with Fox Sports earlier this month. “This isn’t the Premier League. The Eredivisie isn’t a competitive league in European soccer.”
How did Giménez respond to Blanco?
Speaking to TNT Sports this week ahead of Feyenoord’s Champions League clash with Lazio, Giménez responded: “From the outside, maybe it looks easy to do well, but soccer is tough whichever league you go and play in - be it the Eredivisie, Mexico’s Liga MX or wherever.”
The 22-year-old added: “The Eredivisie is a step above [the Liga MX].”
Mexican on fire for Feyenoord
Giménez, who joined Feyenoord from Cruz Azul in July 2022, has scored 13 goals in 10 games for the Rotterdam club this term, having netted 23 times in 45 appearances in his debut campaign in Europe last season.
Giménez’s 15 league goals last season helped Feyenoord to the 16th Dutch title in the club’s history. He also finished joint-second in the goal charts in the 2022/23 Europa League, as Arne Slot’s men reached the quarter-finals.
The Mexican international’s form for Feyenoord has led to interest from major European clubs, including LaLiga giants Real Madrid.
Giménez set for UCL debut
After missing Feyenoord’s first two Champions League games of this season due to suspension, Giménez is in line for his first career appearance in Europe’s elite men’s club competition on matchday three of the group stage this midweek.
The Dutchmen have three points so far in Group E, having followed up a 2-1 opening win at home to Celtic with a 3-2 away defeat to Atlético Madrid.
Feyenoord vs Lazio: when, where, how to watch?
Feyenoord host Lazio at the De Kuip stadium in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on Wednesday 25 October 2023, with kick-off scheduled for 12:45pm ET/9:45am PT. TV viewers in the United States will be able to watch the game on CBS Sports Golazo, while your streaming options include ViX, Paramount and fuboTV.
Enjoy Feyenoord vs Lazio on fuboTV, which offers users a free trial.
Giménez confident Cruz Azul will bounce back
In his interview with TNT Sports, Giménez also offered his thoughts on the dire situation at former club Cruz Azul, who are languishing second bottom of the Liga MX’s Apertura 2023 regular-season standings.
“I’ve been a Cruz Azul fan since I was a kid, and I carry the club in my height wherever I go,” he said. “I’m only too aware of the difficulties they’re going through right now.
“I honestly couldn’t say what the causes are, but I have faith in this great club - just as they have many times in the past, they’ll find their way back to success.”