Mario Been uses 19 year old goalie against Samp

A year and a half ago, Darley Torres left his parents in Brazil to succeed as a goalie in Rotterdam.

And now, the 19 year old is suddenly the number one goalie at Feyenoord, due to injuries of veteran Rob van Dijk and second goalie Erwin Mulder. He’ll make his debut tonight against Sampdoria in De Kuip.

Mario Been: “It’s important that we give him our confidence now. Next week, the competition starts and we need to be ready. My intended first eleven will start against Sampdoria and since we don’t have any other options, Darley is numero uno now.”

Been would prefer to sign an experienced goalie and Feyenoord seems to have made a deal with Joey Didulica, the AZ goalie, but the Stadium club can’t find the money to pay AZ the transfer sum. In view of the financials, Been accepts that he needs to do it with Van Dijk, Mulder and Darley. “When they’re all fit, the best man plays. They all start at the same level, that’s how we began the prep. But, with two injured, it’s clear Darley is the man for now.”

The fit Darley can take the lead, in other words. He had a shakey start against VVV but keeped brilliantly in Portugal. Been: “He did very well and at training he shows his worth too. Darley is a top athlete, he’s got balls, dares to come for the ball and has great reflexes.”

Been does wonder what the tension of playing in a packed Kuip will do with him. “It’s quite something to suddenly be the goalie against Samp in a full stadium.”

Goal keeper trainer (and former Feyenoord and PSV goalie) Patrick Lodewijks. “You want more experienced goalies, in an ideal world. They’re more stable mentally. They have the experience to coach the defense, but in terms of talent Mulder and Darley are top. It may not be the ideal moment to throw them before the lions, but that’s how it is.”

Been will have to pick soon, the experienced veteran Van Dijk or the young talent (Mulder or Darley). Lodwijks: “In terms of talent, both are equal. Darley is more spectacular in style, Erwin is more conservative.”

Lodewijks saw Darley at Atletico Mineiro a year and a half ago and was impressed. “He’s very talented and eager to learn. The only thing that needs improvement is his footballing skills. A goal keeper in Brazil isn’t involved in the game that much. There, a defender in trouble won’t pass the ball back, but hit it high in the stands. In Holland, we want our goalie to have a right foot like Ronald Koeman and a left like Cocu. But we exaggerate that a bit. Peter Schmeichel was tremendous as a goalie but couldn’t hit a ball straight if his life depended on it. But the key is: stopping the ball from going in… I don’t care if Darley hits every ball into the stands.”