Van Persie Confident Feyenoord Can Surprise Inter In Champions League Clash

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Robin van Persie is optimistic about Feyenoord's chances against Inter Milan in the Champions League. Despite a 2-0 loss in the first leg, he believes his team can surprise everyone and reach the quarter-finals. The second leg will be held at San Siro, a venue where Feyenoord has struggled historically against Italian teams.

Feyenoord's record against Italian clubs in European competitions is not encouraging. They have not won any of their last eight away games against Italian sides, with three draws and five losses. Overall, they have only managed two wins out of 12 matches, never by more than one goal.

According to Opta's simulations, Feyenoord has just a 3% chance of advancing to the next round. Only PSV Eindhoven has a lower probability after their heavy defeat by Arsenal. Van Persie remains hopeful, stating that sport always offers a chance, even when odds seem slim.

Van Persie has been in charge for only two matches since taking over as manager. He acknowledges the difficulty of the task but insists that his team can win if they perform at their best. "We want to surprise everyone," he said during a press conference.

The manager emphasises belief as crucial for overturning the deficit. "The most important message I'm giving ahead of this match is believe in yourself, believe in each other," Van Persie stated. He believes that his current squad is capable of achieving this feat.

Feyenoord's only significant away win in the Champions League came earlier this season when they defeated Benfica 3-1. Van Persie hopes to replicate such performances against Inter Milan.

Inter Milan's Strengths

Van Persie observed Inter Milan's recent comeback victory over Monza in Serie A. He noted their consistent attacking style and effective transitions, which pose both challenges and opportunities for Feyenoord.

"They (Inter) always do the same thing, in attacking and switching," Van Persie commented. He expects Inter to maintain their usual tactics but sees potential openings for his team to exploit.

Injury Concerns

Feyenoord faces an additional challenge with Brazilian attacker Igor Paixao sidelined due to an injury sustained during training. Paixao has been one of Feyenoord's standout performers this season.

"It is certainly a blow that Igor Paixao is not there," Van Persie admitted. However, he remains hopeful that it won't be a long-term issue and plans to assess Paixao's condition further in the coming days.

The upcoming match presents a daunting task for Feyenoord, but Van Persie's belief in his team's capabilities remains strong as they prepare to face Inter Milan at San Siro.