Steijn is disappointed with empty spaces at Twente, Ajax without unfit Weghorst

Sem Steijn is disappointed that Vak-P remains largely empty in the stands of the Grolsch Veste on Thursday evening during FC Twente-Union Saint-Gilloise (9 p.m.). “It is a great loss, especially in European matches,” says the midfielder of the club from Enschede.

The European football association UEFA previously determined that four boxes of the fanatical FC Twente supporters may not be occupied during the Europa League match.

UEFA punished the Premier League club after FC Twente fans made racist statements towards a Lazio player in October. “The difference with fewer fans will be big,” Steijn expects.

Steijn, who has recovered from a throat infection, scored a goal and an assist against Fortuna Sittard (1-2) last Saturday, hopes that he can be smarter in Europe with Twente.

The club already drew against Nice (2-2) and Fenerbahçe (1-1) this season after losing a lead, while Twente lost 2-0 to Lazio. Steijn believes that Twente should take the latter club as an example. “We have to be businesslike. The Italians killen a competition. We have seen that here and we must do the same tomorrow.”

Twente coach Joseph Oosting did not fully reveal the line-up against Union at the press conference, but did reveal that Youri Regeer is moving from midfield to the right back position.

The club from Enschede currently has three points from four matches in the Europa League, good for 27th place, and can therefore use a win. “If we want something in Europe, tomorrow is an important game. I think we have to win,” said Oosting.

In contrast to FC Twente, Ajax is in a much better position in the second European football competition. The team from Amsterdam are second and have ten points from four matches. On Thursday, Francesco Farioli’s team will visit the strong Real Sociedad (9 p.m.).

This happens without the unfit striker Wout Weghorst, who remained behind in Amsterdam. “If the attacker has recovered, he can still join the selection on Thursday,” Ajax writes on the website.

Ajax travels to San Sebastián with 22 players. Among them is Brian Brobbey, whose participation last weekend still seemed doubtful. Kenneth Taylor is suspended and Davy Klaassen is not eligible to play. The injured Mika Godts also remains behind in Amsterdam.

AZ will also be in action on Thursday. The team from Alkmaar will play its home match against Galatasaray at 6.45 pm. AZ is currently in seventeenth place with six points from four matches.