Trainer Peter Bosz was unable to provide clarity on Tuesday morning about the availability of Luuk de Jong and Noa Lang in PSV's Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday. The two attackers were still absent against Groningen on Saturday and have not yet fully trained in the meantime. The trainer hopes for a return of the two, because the match against Shakhtar must be won.
Bosz wanted to warn the Dutch press and his team about Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday morning. “I have the feeling that everyone can get over this match quite easily. But Shakhtar also has very good football players around. This is a team that can play football well.”
The Ukrainians already proved this in London, for example. Against Arsenal they 'only' lost 1-0. “And we know from last season how difficult that match is,” Bosz referred to the 4-0 defeat of PSV in England. “They managed to put pressure on Arsenal at times and ultimately lost due to a clumsy goal. We have to work hard and win. But that is not easy.”
PSV is currently 24th in the Champions League rankings. At the end of the ride, that is just enough to make it to the next round. Shakhtar Donetsk is 28th and is therefore a direct competitor in the battle for the next round.
“That is why our home games in the Champions League are so important. We have to get our points there. We succeeded against Girona. We only give away the victory against Sporting CP. That makes this match extra important.”
For this important match, Peter Bosz hopes for the return of Luuk de Jong and Noa Lang. Both attackers were unavailable against FC Groningen on Saturday. “De Jong trained partly yesterday. We hope that he can participate in the full training this afternoon. Then we will judge whether he can play.”
“It's just different with Noa Lang. He didn't train at all yesterday. We're going to try again today. I will also discuss with him after training whether he can play.”
Jerdy Schouten and Joey Veerman are still absent from PSV and the club had another injury case: Couhaib Driouech had to leave training early on Monday with an injury. He won't be there on Wednesday evening either.
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