Rotterdam football club Feyenoord had a poor start to their Europa League campaign on Wednesday night, losing 1-0 away to Portuguese side SC Braga.

Coach Robin van Persie made no fewer than seven substitutions during the lacklustre game, and defended his choices after the match, saying he felt it the right time to give new faces the opportunity to play.

“The first half was dull and should have speeded up,” he said. “In all it was a disappointing evening.”

Braga won with the only goal of the game from subsitute Fran Navarro in the 79th minute.

Feyenoord are in action at home against English side Aston Villa next week in the second of eight match days in the new look Europa League competition.

Deventer side Go Ahead Eagles meet Romanian side FCSB at home on Thursday night in their Europa League debut while Utrecht are at home to Lyon.