Utrecht almost photocopied the previous season, ended in 6th place instead of 5th, but collecting only one point less than last year. Yet this year the conclusion was much sweeter, while in 2018 they had lost the playoff final for access to Europa League against Vitesse, this year they got revenge and defeated the Arnhem team. After a poor first-leg draw at home, they redeemed themselves in the second one by winning 0-2.
In KNVB cup their journey ended already in the last 16 stage defeated by Feyenoord.
Dick Advocaat had a lot of trouble in finding the right balance, started with the 4-3-3 system of play, then for a long time switched to the 3-4-1-2 and, only in the last games, switched back to the four-man defense.
To complicate matters there have also been some serious injuries as Cyriel Dessers, Rico Strider and Simon Makienok missed for long.
To this must be added also some problems inside the locker-room, first with striker Tannane, put off the official list, and then with Letschert, a fracture this one recomposed in a short time.
The main problems were above all in attack (they scored only 60 goals) where Bahebeck disappointed expectations as well as Kramer who arrived in the winter market. For this reason it is not surprising that the best scorer was a midfielder, Swede Simon Gustafson with 11 goals.
As for the positive notes almost all came from midfield, in addition to Gustafson, Van Overeem and Bazoer have shown great continuity. In defense center-back Willem Janssen gave an excellent contribution. The season of former Milan Urby Emanuelson was very disappointing, started as a first string player to end up on the bench.
