1. Main Players Comparison
FC Groningen
- Core: Etienne Vaessen (29, GK – 33 apps, reliable starter), Marco Rente (28, CB – 30 apps, 2G/1A), Thom van Bergen (21, FW – 29 apps, 5G).
- Midfield: Stije Resink (22, DM – 25 apps, 5G/2A), Leandro Bacuna (33, versatile – 25 apps, 4G/3A, but left), Johan Hove (24, CM – 20 apps, ball recycler).
- Attack: Luciano Valente (21, AM – 31 apps, 2G/7A, departed), Jorg Schreuders (20, AM – 23 apps, 5G/1A).
- Output: Losing Valente & Bacuna weakens creativity, but Resink and Schreuders show promise. Attack lacks consistency beyond van Bergen.
- Stability: Defensive base steady with Vaessen + Rente, but departures reduce midfield spine.
Heracles
- Core: Fabian de Keijzer (25, GK – ever-present, 3060 mins), Damon Mirani (29, CB/DM – 34 apps, 2G), Ivan Mesík (24, CB – 33 apps).
- Midfield: Brian De Keersmaecker (25, DM – 31 apps, 5G/3A, departed), Sem Scheperman (22, CM – 17 apps, 1G/1A).
- Attack: Jizz Hornkamp (27, FW – 19 apps, 8G/2A, suspended), Luka Kulenovic (25, CF – 15 apps, 9G/2A), Suf Podgoreanu (23, AM – 28 apps, 1G/5A, departed).
- Output: Kulenovic provides strong forward threat, but suspension of Hornkamp and Podgoreanu’s exit weaken rotation.
- Stability: Solid defensive base with Mirani and Mesík, but midfield leadership dipped with De Keersmaecker’s departure.
2. New Players Comparison
FC Groningen
- Oskar Zawada (29, CF – 24 apps, 9G – instant impact forward).
- Tyrique Mercera (21, RB – prospect).
- Elvis van der Laan (17, CB – youth depth).
- Younes Taha (22, RW – attacking wing addition).
- Kristian Strømland Lien (24, CF – backup option).
- Value: Zawada boosts scoring, but most additions are young prospects with limited experience.
Heracles
- Yvandro Borges Sanches (21, LW – pace injection).
- Ajdin Hrustić (29, AM – creativity, Serie A experience).
- Leco Zeevalkink (19, GK – developmental).
- Mike te Wierik (33, CB – veteran stability).
- Jeff Reine-Adélaïde (27, AM – technical, currently injured).
- Antonio Satriano (21, CF – youth striker).
- Value: More experienced signings than Groningen (Hrustić, Reine-Adélaïde, te Wierik), though injuries limit short-term returns.
3. Substitutes Comparison
FC Groningen
- Depth: Postema (23, FW – 13 apps, 2G), Oosting (25, AM – 8 apps, 1G), Seuntjens (33, AM – 9 apps, 2G/2A).
- Defensive cover via Finn Stam (22, LB) and Peersman (34, CB/LB).
- Impact: Rotation players can add ~6–8 goals but lack consistency.
Heracles
- Depth: Thomas Bruns (33, CM – 14 apps, 3G/2A), Daniël van Kaam (24, CM – 12 apps, 3A), Bryan Limbombe (24, AM – pace).
- Defensive rotation via Roosken (25, LB – 15 apps, 1G/2A) and Jannes Wieckhoff (24, RB – 13 apps, 2A).
- Impact: More experienced subs compared to Groningen, midfield creativity stronger with Bruns + van Kaam.
4. Consolidated Quality Scorecard
Category | FC Groningen Rating | Heracles Rating |
Main Players | ⭐⭐ (loss of Bacuna & Valente hurts creativity) | ⭐⭐⭐ (solid defense + Kulenovic threat, but Hornkamp suspended) |
New Players | ⭐⭐ (Zawada boosts attack, rest prospects) | ⭐⭐⭐ (Hrustić & Reine-Adélaïde strong but fitness issues) |
Substitutes | ⭐⭐ (few impact players, limited scoring depth) | ⭐⭐⭐ (Bruns, van Kaam provide better balance & creativity) |
Overall Depth | Thinner after exits, reliant on youth | More experienced depth despite key suspensions |
Key Weakness | Creativity gap, over-reliant on Resink/van Bergen | Injuries + Hornkamp suspension weaken attack rotation |
5. Injuries & Suspensions (with impact)
FC Groningen
- No major first-team injuries reported.
- Squad mostly available, but thin after summer departures.
Heracles
- Jizz Hornkamp – Suspended (loss of main forward option).
- Jeff Reine-Adélaïde – Injured (early Sept, creativity loss in midfield).
- Mario Engels – Injured (early Sept, attacking depth weakened).
- Fofin Turay – Achilles tendon injury, doubtful (defensive cover reduced).
- Sava Cestic – Broken ankle, doubtful (defensive rotation weakened).
Impact: Groningen healthier but lacks squad quality; Heracles hit by absences but retains stronger depth in midfield.
6. Predicted Outcome
- FC Groningen: Zawada improves attack but overall reliance on youth leaves them exposed.
- Heracles: Despite injuries, they keep stronger midfield options and Kulenovic’s scoring form.
Likely Result: FC Groningen 1 – 2 Heracles
