Gaston Taument and Pierre van Hooijdonk played for both Feyenoord and Benfica. Both teams will meet each other in the Champions League on Wednesday evening. The Portuguese, where former Feyenoorders Orkun Kökcü and Frederik Aursnes are under contract, are seen as the favorites. Especially because of the home advantage, the expectations are that SL Benfica will beat the Rotterdam team.
“Benfica really has a very large supporter base,” Taument says in conversation with RTV Rijnmond. ”Not only in Lisbon, but also in the rest of Portugal and Europe. Everywhere we went there were supporters’ associations.” During the period when the former winger played football for SL Benfica, walking on the street in Lisbon was not an option. “That’s why I lived in Cascais, a quiet town half an hour’s drive away.”
Van Hooijdonk sees many similarities. ”You can compare it well in terms of experience and the size of the clubs. Benfica, like Feyenoord, has had bad years. Then things start to rumble within a club. Only the loyalty of the supporter will always be there.” The Portuguese have not lost a home game since October 24, 2023. ”That really has to do with the audience and the appearance. It is simply more difficult for an opponent to win; they are often impressed.”
Taument played more than 250 games for Feyenoord and sixteen games for SL Benfica. Although the winger only played in Portugal for nine months, the club made a big impression on him. ”The supporters in particular reminded me of Feyenoord. The old Estádio da Luz was always full and the away section, both in the competition and European, was always full. In addition, the supporters were very fanatical and that always helps. With such supporters it is so nice when you play at home, especially as a winger.”
Van Hooijdonk scored nineteen goals at SL Benfica and moved to Feyenoord after a good season. The former striker still cherishes warm memories of the Portuguese. ”After my seasons in Scotland and England, I was really open to a country with a slightly warmer climate. In addition, the salary was also a nice bonus for playing there. Things weren’t really going well for the club at the time. After that, success came back.”
”The expectations for Wednesday evening? Benfica plays with a certain toughness, but they can also play good football. They are very steady on the ball. The start of the match is important for a good result. You have to get through those first twenty minutes and maybe something will be possible. A draw would be great.” Van Hooijdonk maintains that Feyenoord has little interest in the Champions League. “Although the away win in Girona was a welcome three-pointer.”
