Peter Closes Training Ground Ahead of ADO's Eredivisie Homecoming

Peter will lead ADO out for their first Eredivisie home game in five years this weekend, but the build-up has been overshadowed by anger and a locked training ground.

The head coach has scrapped open sessions after team information from training was posted online almost immediately, a leak he believes leaves him with no choice but to close ranks.

“I don't know who it was, but in any case someone, or a few people, posted information online immediately. That makes keeping training sessions open completely pointless for us,” he told Dutch outlet Algemeen Dagblad, his irritation clear.

The breach of trust has forced a hard reset.

“I have no idea if this happened last year as well, but this time I knew it was posted online straight away,” he said. “We want everyone to be able to come and watch training, but that information has to stay inside the complex. That didn't happen, so we have to close the doors.”

So the gates are shut, the mood is sharper, and the focus now turns to Sunday: ADO against FC Groningen, matchday two of the 2026-27 Eredivisie season, in front of a sold-out crowd.

First home game back, first points needed

The occasion is big. The need is bigger.

ADO are still hunting their first points after a 2-0 defeat to AZ on the opening day, when second-half goals from Ro-Zangelo Daal and Calvin Stengs decided the contest. For long spells they hung in; when AZ lifted the tempo after the break, ADO were punished.

Now comes a different kind of examination. Groningen arrive in The Hague with momentum, having edged past FC Utrecht in their curtain-raiser. Confidence is high in the visitors’ camp. ADO walk out knowing an early-season hole is waiting if they slip again.

Peter, though, expects the spectacle to match the setting.

“I don't expect any surprises and I'm hoping for an open game played at high intensity by both teams,” he said, leaning into the idea of a contest decided by energy and bravery rather than caution.

Injury picture and selection calls

The squad news offers both setbacks and small boosts.

Jalen Hawkins remains sidelined with a hamstring problem, while Cameron Peupion is still a long-term absentee after knee surgery, robbing Peter of two attacking options as he looks for a sharper edge in the final third.

There is better news in goal. Niclas Thiede has returned to full training following an ankle injury and is back in contention, a timely reinforcement as ADO try to steady themselves after that opening defeat.

Cagliari loanee Othniel Raterink is another name to watch. The forward is still building match fitness but could feature from the bench, a potential late-game weapon if the match opens up in the way Peter expects.

The backdrop is clear: a club back in the Eredivisie, a full house, a coach forced to close his training ground to protect his plans. Now the question is simple – does this siege mentality spark ADO’s season into life, or does Groningen’s momentum drown out the homecoming?