NEC Nijmegen goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen made a massive error during his side’s 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 Schöne and midfielder Oussama Tannane have backed the shot-stopper after his error.
Speaking to ESPN about the Cillessen situation, captain Lasse Schöne said ‘I 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 doesn’t do it on purpose.’
NEC’s Moroccan midfielder, Oussama Tannane also stood up for Cillessen. After the game, the 29-year-old said ‘You don’t wish this on anyone. Jasper is a fantastic goalkeeper. He didn’t play at Barcelona and Valencia for nothing. We have to support him. He is a fantastic boy.’ Tannane admitted that he’s aware NEC supporters want their second-choice goalkeeper, Mattijs Branderhorst, to replace Cillessen between the sticks. He added ‘The way it looks now, Jasper [Cillessen] will still be here next season. We shouldn’t write him off.’
Cillessen’s blunder against Heerenveen wasn’t the first mistake he’s made this season. During NEC’s 4-1 defeat to Vitesse last month, the 33-year-old made numerous mistakes leading to goals. After Saturday evening’s 3-2 defeat to Heerenveen, NEC sit 10th in the table whilst Heerenveen move up to 9th.
