Before the return of the Champions League and the PSG/PSV match this Tuesday evening, we interviewed Geoffrey, a French-speaking Dutchman who has the particularity of following both clubs and particularly that of Eindhoven. He answered seven questions in order to present a little of this club which is known without really being so.
In what physical and mental state will PSV present itself this Tuesday?
“As for the physical state, we are in a season without: we lost Sergiño Dest at the end of last season who was a real added value in our playing system and Veerman who is a bit of our magic paw in the middle. He was supposed to come back after a month but, in the end, it will be two months. So, lousy diagnoses are everywhere. In addition to these two big injuries (Editor’s note: we have since added Schouten and Karsdorp), there were a lot of small glitches which meant that we saw very little of the typical eleven.
Mentally it is rather good given our performances in the Eredivisie (9 wins in 9 matches). For the Champions League, it’s similar to every year where PSV needs a reminder of what this competition requires, like against Juventus or Arsenal last year. »
What are the club’s objectives this season in the Champions League?
“Joining the play-offs (after the group stage) would be good given the physical problems”
“The club’s objectives in the Champions League are quite vague with a speech that we often hear for clubs of our economic stature: to perform well and go as far as possible. For my part, I think that joining the play-offs (after the group stage) would be good given the regular physical problems that we have encountered since the start of the season. »
You have won all your matches this season in the league, but have not yet won in the Champions League yet. Do you think the step is too high?
“No, I don’t think so, at least to look good like last year. Without counting the hazards via injuries and glitches here and there which offer no continuity to Bosz, PSV in the European Cup often has difficulty entering and getting up to speed in terms of intensity and duels because it does not require the same efforts as in the Eredivisie where, even with absentees, certain individuals will make the difference because the championship offers them more freedom. What worries me a little is the lack of realism so far in this competition, particularly against Sporting where there was plenty of room at home. Knowing that for years, external results have not been optimal. »
There was a little controversy surrounding Jerdy Schouten during the break. Can you tell us more?
“The controversy began because PSV communicated about the player’s fatigue to explain the non-release for the national team then the player explained his situation in an interview with Football that he played against Sporting with powerful painkillers given the importance of the match but that the pain was unbearable to face Sparta and then join the selection: “The MRI also shows that fluid was found near the bone bruise. It just needs a little time to recover. There’s nothing else broken, nothing in my meniscus or of my ligaments. The pain just needs to go away.” »
Editor’s note: Since then, PSV has announced the player’s package.
What are the main strengths and weaknesses of your team?
“The main strengths are a game that can go very quickly vertically if you have possession of the ball and play on the wings to supply the surface, notably Til or de Jong. And depending on the players, there can be good exchanges in small spaces.
“For the weak points, I would say the set pieces, the defensive line”
For the weak points, I would say the set pieces, the defensive line which is almost new this season and which has had no continuity, especially the full-backs, so there is a lack of automatisms. PSV also struggles with managing the opponent’s rapid offensive transitions. Concerning realism at the offensive level, it takes quite a few situations to score or kill the match. As explained earlier, the intensity and the duels can pose a problem at the start of the match, which are serious flaws as long as it has not yet entered their heads but it is a more general problem in Dutch football, clubs to the selection. »
How would you define your team’s style of play under Peter Bosz?
“Peter Bosz likes the 4-3-3, with a number six and two number eights. As for the game to get the ball out of the defense, it’s a mix: either long vertical play to look for de Jong (the center forward) who will delay or make the link with another player (often the wingers) , or quick passes to try as quickly as possible to find a free player who can put the team in place as quickly as possible in the construction phase.
As soon as the team is in place and in possession of the ball in the middle, we then begin the high possession phase which brings us to a 2-3-5 with either the two full-backs who will accompany the 6 in the middle on the width and the two 8s go up to help the offensive sector, or the opposite. In this case the full-backs take the place of the wingers who refocus.
In both cases, De Jong will often pick up to suck in his defender and, if he is touched, find a player in the attacking sector in one touch to exploit the spaces between the opposing central and full-back. This phase also allows you to set up high pressure when you lose the ball, but it is also double-edged if the opponent is able to get out of the pressure and start a quick counter when recovering the ball. »
If there was one player to stand out on your team, who would it be? What do you fear from this match against PSG? Finally, a little prediction for the match?
“Schouten is essential for the balance of the team”
“It’s complicated. I could have said Schouten who is essential for the balance of the team, but we are going to choose Noa Lang (left winger) who, despite his stubborn side, likes to show off and try improbable things in big matches.
The question of fear is complex because it is not necessarily the possession of PSG that scares me. But if PSV is naive when it attacks and PSG recovers the ball and has counterattacks with Hakimi, Barcola and Dembélé who are technical and fast players, it can become complicated to manage.
My prediction knowing that there have been quite a few seasons where away results are difficult, a 2-1 for PSG and I take the goal average. Otherwise with the greatest optimism, 1-1 will be good. »
