Offensive Strategy: N.E.C. Nijmegen’s Approach Must Be Witnessed to Be Understood
NIJMEGEN, Netherlands — Nestled within a forest in Nijmegen’s Goffertpark, located on the eastern border of the Netherlands with Germany, over 12,500 spectators have been assembling weekly to witness some of the most unpredictable and daring football that 2026 has presented.
This remarkably tranquil and innocent environment serves as the backdrop for an extraordinary narrative that has garnered attention throughout Europe this year: N.E.C. Nijmegen is on the brink of achieving the most successful season in their 125-year history without a trophy — a feat made possible by an eccentric majority investor, who has appointed an unconventional manager, who promotes a bold style of attacking football.
“Crazy — that’s precisely the term for it,” N.E.C. supporter Stefan Verhagen shares with ESPN. “In 62 years, I have never witnessed anything like this. Opponents arrive here, and they are visibly intimidated.”
Eniesee employs a style that many would deem reckless, if not outright foolish. It represents a contemporary iteration of the “Total Football” philosophy developed and refined by the legendary Rinus Michels and Johan Cruyff of Ajax in the 1970s, a style that has been longed for by Dutch football enthusiasts ever since. Its philosophy is refreshingly straightforward.
“Here, we kick the ball, we advance forward — and we score,” Florian, another supporter, states.
While it may seem perilous to rely heavily on offensive play, for N.E.C. it proves effective. Following a 1-1 draw on Saturday in a match with significant UEFA Champions League implications against the formidable Feyenoord — thanks to a remarkable equalizer in the 97th minute — the club currently occupies third place in the Eredivisie standings, three points ahead of Ajax with four matches remaining, while they prepare to face AZ Alkmaar in the KNVB cup final this weekend.
N.E.C.’s persistently attacking, high-pressing style of play creates a whirlwind experience. Television ratings consistently rank their matches among the top three most viewed on weekends in the country, but it must be experienced live to be fully appreciated.
Into the forest
In Dutch football, three traditional powerhouses dominate: Ajax, Feyenoord, and PSV Eindhoven. Collectively, these teams have secured the vast majority of Eredivisie (top tier) titles since its inception in 1956, making it uncommon for significant narratives to emerge from other clubs.
Since their promotion back to the top division in 2021, N.E.C. has spent most of their time fighting in the lower half of the table; finishes of 11th and 12th between 2021-2023 felt typical. Their highest-ever league finish is fifth, achieved in 2003, but they have since experienced relegation and promotion twice.
This context makes N.E.C.’s ascent particularly remarkable: Not only is it unique and refreshing, but it unfolds in a considerably more modest environment compared to Ajax’s sleek, modern 55,000-seat Johan Cruyff Arena. To reach N.E.C.’s Goffertstadion, one must walk through a forest; along the way, you pass the club’s training facilities, which are surprisingly accessible to the public — they are not enclosed, not hidden from view, and much of the training gear is simply left out on the grass.
As you continue down the path, the stadium comes into view. It is small (with a capacity of around 12,500) and appears even smaller due to its sunken design, which creates a concrete moat separating the stands from the pitch. One might mistake it for a concert venue were it not for the prominent NEC emblem on the metal facade.
Some fans, like 67-year-old Stefan, have been attending matches for decades but are now experiencing something entirely new. He removes his hat — a Russian-style ushanka with the ear flaps pinned up — and displays it proudly; it is adorned with pins commemorating significant games he has attended. A Hamburg pin is prominently featured, representing their last foray into Europe (a 2008-09 Europa League campaign that included Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, and AC Milan). He has also witnessed his team lose five domestic cup finals, the first in 1973, and hopes to finally secure a victory this weekend against AZ Alkmaar. A win would guarantee a spot in the 2026-27 Europa League at minimum.
Inside, numerous visual elements remind you that this is not a star-studded venue. There is a third dugout positioned pitch-side for fans who win a competition to sit almost on the sideline, just 10 feet from the team benches. Meanwhile, the N.E.C. players’ boots show signs of wear — these are not superstars who receive four fresh pairs per match, custom-fitted to their feet.
The teams emerge from the tunnel for kickoff to the sound of Fox’s iconic NFL theme tune. But once that first whistle blows … chaos ensues.
Schreuder’s Way
N.E.C. has netted 74 goals in the Eredivisie this season, a figure surpassed only by PSV (84), who clinched the title with five matches to spare. They have also conceded 48 goals, which is only slightly fewer than most teams at the bottom of the table involved in the relegation struggle. In 30 matches, Eniesee has scored three or more goals 13 times and conceded three or more on seven occasions.
As these statistics indicate, their matches are typically chaotic. This is attributed to their relentlessly offensive-minded coach, Dick Schreuder.
After stints on the coaching staff with Barnet in England and the Philadelphia Union in MLS, among other roles, Schreuder, 54, gained recognition in the Netherlands in 2021 by taking over a struggling PEC Zwolle team that was at the bottom of the table and transforming them into a competitive side that nearly escaped relegation.
Schreuder led Zwolle back to the top division at the first attempt the following season, with his team scoring 99 goals — 13 of which came in a single match against Den Bosch — but he subsequently left for Spanish third-tier club CD CastellΓ³n.
This move was unexpected, but CastellΓ³n’s owner, Bob Voulgaris, is a well-known sports bettor who utilizes data in his decision-making. Naturally, PEC Zwolle’s attacking statistics were impressive, prompting him to approach Schreuder, who accepted the offer — partly due to the sporting project and partly because the warmer climate alleviated the discomfort in his knee from his playing days.
After igniting the 2023-24 third tier with his team scoring a record 74 goals, Schreuder secured promotion to the Segunda DivisiΓ³n for CastellΓ³n, but was dismissed within six months following a decline in performance. However, he was quickly recruited back to the Netherlands in 2025 by N.E.C. and has been captivating the forest with his “Total Football” approach ever since.
“Dutch people have a passion for attacking football,” states ESPN NL’s Sjors Grol. “This has been the case since Cruyff and Michels introduced ‘Total Football’ in the 1970s. In a sport where results often seem to overshadow performance these days, Schreuder is striving to strike a balance between attractive football and results once again. He has now achieved this at his third club in four years.
“Currently, in Nijmegen, Schreuder can do no wrong. He has provided the community with a taste of football ecstasy in a manner they never thought possible. Not only is success addictive, but so is the sensation of playing the best football in the country. This is the experience N.E.C. supporters are enjoying right now.”
Attack, attack, attack
In a season where the English Premier League has become a battleground for giants — where the fittest, strongest, and tallest vie for supremacy in endless confrontations and set-piece scenarios — N.E.C.’s consistently attacking, high-pressing, adventurous football resembles something from a video game. However, they diligently work on the training ground to refine this style.
“It all boils down to intensity,” Sjors adds. “Players do not have the opportunity to catch their breath between drills, which is one reason they are in peak physical condition. Never before has this club attacked as much as it has this season. From the very first moment, a bond has formed between fans and players, reinforced by 12 goals in the opening three matches of the season.”
Schreuder’s wing backs function as wingers, and his attacking midfielders essentially act as strikers; the midfielders surge forward at will.
While it may appear as a 3-4-2-1 formation on paper, it bears little resemblance to the same setup you might have seen with Manchester United under Ruben Amorim. Here, there is a significant emphasis on attacking with width. This should not be surprising, considering Schreuder was a winger during his playing career. N.E.C. ranks third in the Eredivisie for open play crosses (441) and second for attempted take-ons (603).
The combinations, runs, and passes among his players are not only impressive but also incredibly perplexing for opponents to contend with at times … and a significant part of this is due to his center backs frequently advancing up the pitch.
Indeed, it is common for one of N.E.C.’s outside center backs to find themselves in the opponent’s penalty area. On the left, Ahmetcan Kaplan or Deveron Fonville charge forward, their runs disrupting opponents’ man-to-man marking and creating openings. On the right, it is more subtle; right center back Eli Dasa often waits for his winger, Sami Ouaiassa, to draw attention, then slips into the box unnoticed.
Once these types of rotations commence, any player can find themselves in virtually any position on the pitch. Except for the goalkeeper, of course.
A prime example of this was the third goal scored in the 3-1 victory against Sparta Rotterdam in February, which resulted from six players being positioned in or near the box, where nearly all were out of their designated positions (and yes, a center back was among them).
However, the forward movement of center backs is not limited to N.E.C.’s attacking play — they also engage in deep buildup. Schreuder’s interpretation of pass-and-move football is quite extreme, which can lead to complications when the team is caught in possession near their goal (below) …
This can also create issues when they have committed too many players high up the pitch, meaning a single long ball from the opponent can result in a scoring opportunity (see below).
These challenges are largely unavoidable. Because N.E.C. pushes so many players forward in attack, the only logical defensive strategy is to press and attempt to regain possession high up the pitch if they lose it. They generally execute this effectively — they lead the Eredivisie in duels won (1,613), possessions won in the final third (165), and high turnovers forced (302) — but lapses do occur, and they can appear quite severe to the casual observer when they happen.
Schreuder acknowledges this risk, believing that, more often than not, his team can address the gaps — or, if necessary, simply outscore their opponents.
A deathbed promise
It is fitting that N.E.C.’s achievements have been founded on audacious football, as one could argue that “crazy” is a directive from the top down.
The club’s primary investor, Marcel Boekhoorn, is a notable yet discreet figure in the initiative. A Dutch billionaire hailing from Nijmegen, he made a promise to his father on his deathbed to care for his cherished football team. He provides sufficient financial support to ensure the club does not need to generate funds through player sales, while also allowing them to offer more than a one-year contract to an older player if the terms are favorable.
The financial security he provides enabled N.E.C. to reject substantial offers — β¬15 million from Ajax and β¬20 million from Nottingham Forest — for their standout young midfielder Kodai Sano. This would have constituted a club-record departure, a fee N.E.C. could not have turned down a few years ago, but could have jeopardized a remarkable season. They were able to decline.
In addition, he has made wise choices in appointing his front office and granting them the autonomy to thrive. For instance: Carlos Aalbers, a figure recognized as one of the top scouts in the Netherlands, with a notable track record of recruiting promising Asian talents (he scouted Ritsu Doan, now at Eintracht Frankfurt, and Yukinari Sugawara, who played in the Premier League for Southampton last season).
However, like his team, there is no doubt that Boekhoorn possesses a penchant for the extraordinary. After acquiring Ouwehands Zoo in Utrecht in 2000, he lobbied the Chinese government for 16 years to relocate two pandas there. Ultimately, in 2016, he succeeded; pandas Xing Ya and Wu Wen were transferred to the Netherlands in a deal signed in the presence of President Xi Jinping.
His office at Ouwehands Zoo is situated above a gorilla enclosure; a hatch in the floor can be opened to allow food to be thrown through it, and several N.E.C. players have done so after signing their contracts. Not every venture the billionaire undertakes is successful, however, as he once faced disappointment in a deal to import a rare white crocodile; after paying for its importation, a rain shower revealed that it was merely a regular crocodile that had been painted white.
“The players have always held Marcel in high regard; everyone admires the way he conducts his life,” Sjors remarks. “This leaves an impression on the players. In some instances, it begins as early as their initial meeting at his zoo. A question we journalists frequently pose to new signings is about their encounter with Marcel, as it serves as an important introduction to the club.
“Among the fans, he enjoys a status unlike anyone else in Nijmegen. His support for the club, stemming from his own passion as one of its biggest fans, grants him the necessary prestige. This is rooted in the promise he made to his father.”
Champions League dreams
Last weekend, N.E.C.’s 1-1 draw against Feyenoord — a match with significant implications for their pursuit of Champions League football next season — unfolded as expected (as illustrated by the average position graphic above).
N.E.C. conceded from a corner and were fortunate to avoid a red card for center back Philippe Sandler, who awkwardly brought down the Feyenoord striker as the last defender after being caught out by a long ball (does this sound familiar?).
However, true to their form this season, the match concluded with a dramatic equalizer in the 97th minute that sent the stadium into a frenzy of noise and celebration, after Schreuder substituted his entire defense to pursue a late goal.
Substitute Danilo, one of three forwards introduced in place of defenders, emerged as the hero — redeeming himself for a glaring miss five minutes earlier — as relentless waves of attack finally broke the resistance of a traditional giant in Dutch football.
Having been accustomed to cautious, underdog football in previous seasons, this is a departure from what N.E.C. supporters are used to — but understandably, they have embraced it wholeheartedly.
Danilo’s goal elicited a roar that seemed to last indefinitely, extending well beyond the final whistle. Hardly anyone left the Goffertstadion prematurely — there is little advantage in doing so, as only a few hundred cars are parked outside and thousands choose to cycle to the stadium instead. With minimal risk of traffic congestion or waiting in line, why leave early and miss these extraordinary moments?
