NEC Nijmegen goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen made a massive error during his sideโs 3-2 defeat to Heerenveen on Saturday. In the final few minutes of the game, with the score at 2-2, the Netherlands international completely misjudged a shot from Antoine Colassin before the ball found the back of the net. NEC captain Lasse Schรถne and midfielder Oussama Tannane have backed the shot-stopper after his error.
Speaking to ESPN about the Cillessen situation, captain Lasse Schรถne said โI already spoke to him [Cillessen] after the game to keep his head up. Jasper has already taken so many points for us this season. You win together and lose together. He doesnโt do it on purpose.โ
NECโs Moroccan midfielder, Oussama Tannane also stood up for Cillessen. After the game, the 29-year-old said โYou donโt wish this on anyone. Jasper is a fantastic goalkeeper. He didnโt play at Barcelona and Valencia for nothing. We have to support him. He is a fantastic boy.โ Tannane admitted that heโs aware NEC supporters want their second-choice goalkeeper, Mattijs Branderhorst, to replace Cillessen between the sticks. He added โThe way it looks now, Jasper [Cillessen] will still be here next season. We shouldnโt write him off.โ
Cillessenโs blunder against Heerenveen wasnโt the first mistake heโs made this season. During NECโs 4-1 defeat to Vitesse last month, the 33-year-old made numerous mistakes leading to goals. After Saturday eveningโs 3-2 defeat to Heerenveen, NEC sit 10th in the table whilst Heerenveen move up to 9th.
