Targhalline expected to return as Feyenoord prepare for Heerenveen

Feyenoord manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst expects Oussama Targhalline to be available for Sunday’s away match against sc Heerenveen, while defender Tsuyoshi Watanabe is fit again after missing out on a starting place against Internazionale.

Targhalline had been ill but was able to train individually. “I expect him to be involved,” Van Bronckhorst said at a press conference. Watanabe was left out of the starting line-up for Tuesday’s 3-0 Champions League defeat because he was not fully fit, but is now available, the manager said.

Feyenoord have gone four matches in all competitions without a win. They have three points from four Champions League games, a tally Van Bronckhorst called insufficient, while the Rotterdam club lead the Eredivisie by one point over Ajax. PSV and FC Twente are two points behind.

Van Bronckhorst also addressed criticism of goalkeeper Tjark Ernst over his response to long-range shots. He said he did not consider all the criticism unjustified, but argued that defensive errors had contributed to opponents’ chances. Feyenoord had defended poorly against Inter, he said, citing a marking error by Javi López and the space allowed before the third goal.

“We have a young team and I’m here to develop players,” Van Bronckhorst said. He added that Ernst needed to improve, as did his team-mates.