Wijnaldum: ‘I would have preferred a different draw’

Dutch midfielder Gini Wijnaldum explained why he would have preferred to face another team in the Europa League as Feyenoord are a club he normally supports. The two sides face each other this afternoon in the first leg in Holland, a repeat of last seasons Conference League final which also featured the two teams. Speaking to Algemeen Dagblad  (as quoted by RomaPress) Wijnaldum explained what he believes it will take to beat the Dutch side and why Mourinho asked him for advice after the draw was made:

“I’ve already returned to de Kuip as an opponent with PSV and the fans weren’t happy but this happened a long time ago. I played in the Feyenoord youth team, I made my debut in the first team with them. I’m from Rotterdam, I also played for Holland at de Kuip but this is totally different,” said the ex-Liverpool man.

“I would have preferred a different draw as I find it difficult to play against a club I normally support,” he continued.

“Mourinho came to me right away after the draw. He knows I played there but I couldn’t give him any advice, not knowing the current Feyenoord too well. I haven’t followed the current Feyenoord side very much. The only thing I could tell him is what one can expect when playing de Kuip.”