From Eredivisie relegation battle to European play-offs: Maurice Steijn has put Sparta Rotterdam back on track | OneFootball

Midway through the Eredivisie season, Sparta Rotterdam were in trouble. The side parted ways with Jeroen Rijsdijk in November after a poor start to the campaign that had seen them occupying the relegation play-off spot. Fast forward to April, and Rijsdijk’s replacement has led them to the edge of the European play-offs. The sides 3-1 win over SC Heerenveen at the weekend was their third on the bounce as they sit ninth, just a point behind Heracles in the final play-off spot.

Maurice Steijn’s start to life at Sparta Rotterdam did not go well. The side failed to win a single game under the new man until January. That run was ended away to AZ Alkmaar on the 26th and since then the side have only lost two games out of a possible 10. Suddenly, Steijn has the side looking up rather than down. One of the main catalysts for this turnaround has been getting striker Tobias Lauritsen back into goal scoring form. The striker has scored nine Eredivisie goals this season, with five of these coming since the turn of the year.

Defensively they have also improved, with just one goal conceded in their last three games, while eight have been scored in that time at the other end. Former Huddersfield midfielder Carel Eiting has also been an important player in that time. The 27-year-old is currently on loan from FC Twente, having joined in January. Eiting has grabbed himself a goal and three assist’s in the 11 matches he has played for Sparta in the Eredivisie.

Sparta have finished in the play-off spots in three out of the last four seasons. If they can keep up this run of form going into the final five games, they will be well set to do so again. However, bar a clash with Almere City, they face top eight sides in the rest of those final matches. This will be a true test of their form and how well Steijn has done since taking over.