Matchday 5 of the UEFA Europa League takes VfB to Go Ahead Eagles on Thursday 27 November 2025. The Deventer club qualified for the competition after a sensational victory over AZ Alkmaar in the KNVB Cup final in April 2025 (1-1 after extra time, 4-2 on penalties).
It was Go Ahead’s first ever cup success and the club’s first trophy in a whopping 92 years – their four Dutch championships date from 1917, 1922, 1930 and 1933.
Now the Dutch side welcome VfB to De Adelaarshorst stadium in the Europa League, and the roles do not seem to be as clearly defined as those on the outside might assume. It’s not just the cup triumph over AZ that serves as a warning. Aston Villa of the English Premier League also experienced not long ago what tough competitors Go Ahead can be, losing 2-1 in Deventer on Matchday 3.
As coach Melvin Boel’s charges also claimed a 2-0 victory at Panathinaikos before that, they have six points to their name – like VfB – following the opening 1-0 defeat to FCSB and the recent 2-0 loss in Salzburg. In that respect, this clash between the sides in 21st and 20th place will determine which team are in a better position for the remaining three games in the league phase.
The star is the team
You won’t find any big names in the Go Ahead team; it’s all about the collective. Usually lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, they can make life difficult for any side – including VfB’s last Europa League opponents, Feyenoord, who they defeated 2-1 in the Eredivisie around two weeks ago. A tricky assignment therefore awaits Sebastian Hoeneß’s side on Thursday night.