Groningen is going through a tough period, suffering their sixth consecutive defeat in the Eredivisie, this time losing 2-3 to Volendam. In addition to the negative result, the team saw their captain, Stije Resink, who was on Benfica's radar in January, being carried off on a stretcher early in the second half with an apparent serious knee injury, at a moment when the score was tied at one goal apiece. Resink's misfortune, who had even opened the scoring for Groningen, occurred after a clash with Robert Muhren. The 22-year-old midfielder got to the ball first but injured himself while trying to turn, letting out a scream of pain that, along with the reaction of nearby players, suggested the worst scenario. At the end of the match, coach Dick Lukkien, although cautious, did not hide his concern. "He will go to the hospital tomorrow, but it didn't look good at all. We suffered for about 20 minutes; it was evident to everyone around," he told ESPN, visibly shaken. "This is very hard because Stije is a fantastic player for us. You wouldn't wish this on anyone, especially not on him. I am a very emotional person, and this has touched me deeply," he added, emphasizing the good relationship he has with his captain. Goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen admitted that Resink's exit affected the team. "It's very sad because [the incident] doesn't look good. Stije is such a good footballer, and we knew he would probably make the move in the summer. We suffered with him, but as a team, we have to continue," he lamented. Despite managing to equalize at 2-2, the team ultimately conceded the 2-3 goal in the 90+6th minute. Teammate Thom van Bergen revealed the atmosphere in the locker room: "He was clearly down, and so were we, because he is a good friend. According to those who were close by, a sound was heard at the moment of the incident, which is usually a sign that something is really wrong." It is worth noting that Stije Resink was the subject of interest from Benfica in the last winter transfer window, but Groningen refused to negotiate his departure. Ajax also showed interest in the player. Due to the interest from several clubs, it seemed that Resink was in the final months of his service to Dick Lukkien's team. If the seriousness of the injury is confirmed, a transfer in the summer now seems to be at risk.
Benfica Stije Resink remains central to this story.
Benfica Stije Resink remains central to this story.
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