Krstović on the scoresheet, Feyenoord edge the De Kuip Cup

Feyenoord lifted the inaugural De Kuip Cup after a hard-fought 120-minute contest played across three periods. For the Nerazzurri, it proved to be another valuable international test as preparations continue for the start of the competitive season. Krstović was on target for Atalanta, scoring the temporary equaliser.

A sold-out Feyenoord Stadium provided the backdrop for the Dutch side's season curtain-raiser ahead of next week's Eredivisie opener. Before kick-off, a minute's silence was observed in memory of members of the Feyenoord community who passed away over the past year, as well as Franco Baresi.

The first real opportunity fell to Atalanta after just two minutes, as Krstović struck the post with a shot from the edge of the area before Éderson fired the rebound over the bar with his left foot. Feyenoord, however, broke the deadlock in the 11th minute, with Ueda converting from the penalty spot. Atalanta responded through Kamaldeen and Éderson, while Valente hit the crossbar for the hosts in the 28th minute. Then, three minutes into the nine added at the end of the first half, Vanhoutte grazed the post. Atalanta restored parity six minutes into stoppage time. A well-worked corner routine picked out Scalvini at the far post, whose knockdown was turned home from close range by Krstović to make it 1-1.

After the break, both sides made several changes. Bernasconi and Scamacca combined to fashion Atalanta's best chance in the 65th minute, with the former's cross met by the striker's powerful downward header, forcing Ernst into an excellent save. Feyenoord regained the lead in the 81st minute through Van Persie, who bundled home a close-range header in a crowded penalty area to make it 2-1. The score remained unchanged through the end of the regulation 90 minutes before the match continued with the scheduled 30-minute third period.

During the extra period, Sportiello was alert to deny Van Persie from the edge of the box, while Coach Maurizio Sarri completed his rotation, giving all 25 players named in the squad valuable minutes. The Nerazzurri came close to an equaliser three times: Maldini twice saw his efforts flash just past the post in the 106th and 114th minutes, while Scamacca's powerful strike from the edge of the area was well saved by the goalkeeper in the 110th. At the other end, Vismara produced a fine save in the 116th minute to keep out Van den Elshout's well-placed effort. That proved to be the final chance of the match, as Feyenoord secured a 2-1 victory in Rotterdam to lift the inaugural De Kuip Cup.

FEYENOORD 2-1 ATALANTA

Scorers: Ueda 11 pen. (F), Krstović 45+6 (A), Van Persie 81 (F)

Feyenoord: Ernst (Bossin, 91), Read (Lotomba, 74), St. Juste (Kasanwirjo, 91), Watanabe (Kraaijeveld, 5; Ahmedhodzic, 91), Marmol (Wessels, 91), Zechiel (Syeijn, 74), Valente (Van den Elshout, 91), Vanhoutte (Targhalline, 46), Moussa (Van Persie, 74), Ueda (Ferri, 62), Diarra (Zinhagel, 74). Unused bench: Berger, Borges, Tengstedt, Deijl, Sliti, Ivanusec. Coach: Giovanni van Bronckhorst

Atalanta: Carnesecchi (Sportiello, 60; Vismara, 98), Zappacosta (Bellanova, 60), Scalvini (Kossounou, 72), Djimsiti (Kolašinac, 60; Obrić, 98), Ahanor (Bernasconi, 60), Samardžić (I. Sulemana, 72), Gaetano (de Roon, 72), Éderson (Pašalić, 46; Cassa, 98), K. Sulemana (Zalewski, 46), Krstović (Scamacca, 60), Raspadori (Maldini, 60). Coach: Maurizio Sarri

First and second periods (45'+45'):
Referee: Robin Hensgens (NED)
Assistant Referees: Michael Osseweijer (NED) and Joris Westhof (NED)
Fourth Official: Nick Smit (NED)

Third period (30'):
Referee: Erwin Blank (NED)
Assistant Referees: Don Frijn (NED) and Roan van Marrewijk (NED)
Fourth Official: Nick Smit (NED)

Notes: Kraaijeveld (F), Ahanor (A), Kolašinac (A), Zinhagel (F) booked.