WhoScored speaks with Eric Botteghin on Feyenoord's perfect start

It’s been a sensational start to the season for Feyenoord; a faultless one, in fact, with recent wins over Manchester United and PSV Eindhoven standing out for the Rotterdammers. Key to both results, and their superb form as a whole, has been centre-back Eric Botteghin, who, after a frustrating debut season, is beginning to recreate the form that saw him earn a move from Groningen last year.

We spoke to the Brazilian defender about Feyenoord’s chances of sustaining a title challenge alongside their Europa League commitments, ahead of another big clash with Fenerbahce on Thursday.

After a relatively disappointing season for the club in the league last time out, how confident are you that Feyenoord can compete for the title this time around after a perfect start thus far?

I am really confident for a good season, especially after we were able to finish the last season with a title and a spot in the Europa League. Our team has basically remained the same, and that continuity has helped us to have this strong start.

Despite ending last season as first choice, it took you a while to really settle into the side at Feyenoord, so how frustrating was it to have niggling injuries disrupt your debut campaign at the club?

Getting injured is always frustrating, and especially in my first year at Feyenoord, but I thank God that I had a great recovery and I could play all the games after that until the end of the season.

Do you feel that the squad is well equipped to compete on all three fronts this season, and how high on the club’s list of priorities is a good run in Europe?

Yes, I do believe we have a great and a squad capable of competing on the three fronts. For us, no one tournament takes priority as we want to succeed in them all.

How did it feel to record the recent win over Manchester United and where does it rank in your achievements?

It was amazing to beat one of the biggest clubs in the world, and especially to keep a clean sheet if you consider how strong their squad is. For sure it is one of my biggest achievements.

On a similar note, what was it like to score the match winner, and your first goal for Feyenoord in such a big game against PSV just days later?

I was really happy, after a tough game against United, to win against a rival in PSV and help my teammates with a goal was a great feeling.

You earned a place in WhoScored.com’s Eredivisie team of the season in your final year with Groningen. Do you feel that was your best season to date and do you think you are now reaching the same standards this time around?

Yes, I had a great final season at Groningen, and I am now feeling very good at Feyenoord, always giving my best and working hard to have a great season here too.

Among your statistical strengths according to WhoScored.com is passing, so do you feel that the philosophies of Dutch football suit you in that regard and have improved you as a player?

I’ve learned a lot since I came here to Holland. It is a great soccer school, and my passing is certainly one of the things that I have improved, and I am happy to see the results right now.

According to WhoScored.com you have no statistical weaknesses but do you feel there is a particular aspect of your game that you can still improve upon?

I think all players always need to improve. Everyday you can learn something new to add at your performances, and try to make yourself better.

As a defender how much do you feel you can garner from individual statistics and is it something the club analyses closely?

The club always shows us the statistics after each match, and there we can analyse what was ok and what we can improve.

Who is the best forward that you have had to come up against in your career, either in the Netherlands or in Europe?

Even though it was only for around 20 minutes, I could see why Ibrahimovic is one of the best strikers in the world.

You’ve spent nearly ten years in the Eredivisie now but do you still hold ambitions of testing yourself in any other particular leagues in the future?

Now I am very busy with Feyenoord, wishing to help the club and to also put in great individual performances, so I am not looking that far ahead right now.

How impressed have you been with Botteghin's performances for Feyenoord this season? Let us know in the comments below