Algerian international Anis Hadj Moussa vows Feyenoord will fight on despite costly slump in title race

Feyenoord’s grip on the Eredivisie title race loosened further after a damaging defeat away to Ajax, a result that deepened the club’s recent struggles and allowed PSV Eindhoven to stretch their advantage at the summit of the table.

The loss at the Johan Cruijff Arena was another blow in a difficult spell for the Rotterdam side, who have seen a season that once promised dominance drift into uncertainty.

Once long-standing leaders, Feyenoord now sit second, nine points adrift of PSV, following a run of just two victories in their last eight matches, alongside six defeats.

Against Ajax, Feyenoord never truly found their rhythm.

Their attacking play lacked sharpness and conviction, while the hosts remained compact and disciplined throughout.

Anis Hadj Moussa, wearing the captain’s armband, mirrored the team’s collective frustration, unable to impose himself on a contest that increasingly slipped beyond Feyenoord’s control.

Despite the subdued performance, the Algerian international refused to accept that the result reflected the full story of the match.

Speaking to ESPN after the final whistle, he laid bare the disappointment within the dressing room while also pointing to moments where Feyenoord could have changed the outcome.

Today, we are very disappointed, Hadj Moussa said. I think we deserved better here. We worked very hard. We had many opportunities, two chances for Ayase, one for Watanabe.

His comments underlined a growing theme in Feyenoord’s recent performances: effort without reward. While the team has continued to create openings, a lack of cutting edge in decisive moments has repeatedly undermined their ambitions, particularly in high-stakes fixtures.

Asked to reflect on the broader downturn in form, Hadj Moussa sought perspective rather than panic.

It happens sometimes, he explained. We have to keep going now. From the pitch, I saw that we tried to build our play. We need to be a bit more ruthless. We try to score and win every match.

Those words captured the mood of a squad grappling with pressure but unwilling to abandon belief.

Feyenoord’s early-season consistency had established them as genuine title contenders, and the current gap to PSV, while significant, has not extinguished their determination.

For Hadj Moussa, surrender is not an option.

The captain made it clear that neither he nor his teammates see the championship as decided, despite the mathematical challenge now facing them.

We can definitely talk about it, he said. We will fight until the last day. It’s not a question of one or two matches.

That resolve reflects the identity Feyenoord have tried to cultivate under pressure, resilience, unity and refusal to bow to setbacks.

While recent results suggest a team struggling to regain momentum, the captain’s words indicate a belief that the season’s narrative is not yet complete.

With matches still to be played and pride at stake, Feyenoord’s response in the coming weeks will define whether this difficult period becomes a footnote or a turning point.

For now, Hadj Moussa’s message is unambiguous — the fight is far from over.