PSV is again national champion, but the road to the title was much heavier and more exciting than last season. Trainer Peter Bosz and his players therefore attach more value to the championship. “I actually already had the courage.”
The 26th national title of PSV is good for a zipper of records and special figures. For example, 61-year-old Bosz is the oldest champion trainer in the Eredivisie history. It is also unique that PSV has no fewer than six players with ten competitions or more this season (compared to just one at Ajax).
But Bosz thinks the best fact is that his team with 146 goals is the most accurate PSV ever. “I think that’s extremely handsome,” he said on Sunday just after the 1-3 victory in the champion match against Sparta Rotterdam.
“We scored more than last season, when we became convincing champions. This season it didn’t always go well. We have had a very bad period.”
Volksfeest in Eindhoven after the PSV championship
‘It just wasn’t right’
That bad PSV period limited itself to the first two months after the winter break. In the first half of the season, the team, as Bosz describes it, was still “lord and master” in the Eredivisie, with nine points ahead of competitor Ajax. But then a previously never-before-showed implosion of an Eredivisie leader.
PSV was eliminated by Go Ahead Eagles in the KNVB Cup, humiliated by Arsenal (1-7) in the Champions League and also seemed to reveal the championship. In a series of seven Eredivisie matches, PSV won only once, while Ajax came up with steam and took over the lead.
“We are not a team,” said the experienced Croatian Ivan Perisic in that period. Left winger Noa Lang said on Sunday with the champion scale in his hand words of equal scope. “We were not enough from January to March. It just wasn’t right.”
‘Hard words have fallen’
What that “not being a team” was exactly, never was completely clear. It triggered some stories about a lack of discipline. Ismael Saibari came several times too late, as well as Malik Tillman. But not otherwise.
With a champion medal on his neck, captain Luuk de Jong was asked again on Sunday for the wonderful decline. “We have had tough times with each other,” he replied. “Hard words have fallen. That must be. But we didn’t get out of it. It took so long until we found the way up again.”
De Jong almost became desperate. “I thought: it can’t be that we don’t become a champion with so much quality? But yes, I actually already had the courage.”
‘Attaches more value to this title’
Bosz also no longer believed in the title, especially after the 0-2 defeat last month against Ajax. But with a backlog of nine points on the Amsterdammers, PSV actually got up again. In the meantime, Ajax went down on the champion pressure and gave the competitor from Eindhoven the chance of a wonderful resurrection.
What the deciding factor? “We had to put it hard as a staff. We kept fighting,” said Bosz. “But the most important thing is that we were held on to our attacking playing style. If you are going to change things when things are not going well, those guys start thinking: what is he doing? That’s not good.”
“Instead, we trusted our qualities. Put high pressure, build up from backwards and create as many opportunities as possible. That is why it has started to run again. And that is why I now attach more value to this title than that of last year. Then it almost happened. This performance is better.”
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‘Not so insane before’
Even in the championship match against Sparta, PSV staggered. The Rotterdammers came to 1-1 just after the break, so Ajax came virtually on a title rate.
For a moment, Bosz feared. “I thought: it won’t be fine, right? I think we played the champion match in the spirit of this season. After the 0-1 we didn’t go back. Didn’t defend the 0-1, but want to make the 0-2. We created a lot of opportunities and we kept doing that after the 1-1. Kop and attacks.”
De Jong: “After those 1-1, a lot of things suddenly went through me. But by keeping attacking it worked out well. As a top athlete you live for this kind of moments. I have become champion champions on the last match day more often after an exciting title race. But it has never been as insane as this season.”
PSV is Champion Again, but the road to the title was much harder and more exciting than last season. Coach Peter Bosz and His Players Therefore Attach More Value to the Championship. “I had actual already givven up hope.”
PSV’s 26th National Title is good for a series of records and special figures. For Example, The 61-Year-Old Bosz is The Oldest Champion Coach in Eredivisie History. It is also unique that psv has no fewer than six players with ten or more League goals this season (compared to only one at ajax).
But Bosz Thinks the best fact is that his team is the most productive psv ever with 146 goals. “I think that’s extremely clever,” he said on Sunday shortly after the 1-3 Victory in the Championship Match Againsta Rotterdam.
“We score more than last season, when we Became Champions Convincingly. It has always gone well this season. We had a very bad period.”
Public Celebration in Eindhoven After PSV Championship
‘It just was like right’
PSV’s Bad Period was Limited to the First Two Months After The Winter Break. In The First Half of the Season, The Team, As Bosz Describes It, was still “Master and Commander” in the Eredivisie, with a Highlight Being a Nine-Point Lead about Competitor Ajax. But then followed an unprecedented implosion of an Eredivisie Leader.
PSV was Eliminated by Go Ahead Eagles in the KNVB Cup, Humiliated by Arsenal (1-7) in the Champions League and also Seemed to Throw Away The Championship. In A Series of Seven Eredivisie Matches, PSV won Only Once, While Ajax Gained Momentum and Tok over The Leading Position.
“We are not a team,” Said the Experienced Croatian Ivan Perisic Duration That Period. Left Winger Noa Long Said on Sunday with the Championship Shield in His Hand Words to the Same Effect. “From January to march we were not enough of a team. It just was like right.”
‘Hard Words Have Been Spoken’
It was never Entirely Clear Exactly What That “Not Being A Team” Involved. Some Stories Did Filter Through About A Lack of Discipline. Ismael Saibari was late Several Times, as was Malik Tillman. But Nothing More.
With a Championship Medal Around His Neck, Captain Luuk de Jong was Asked Once on Sunday about the Miraculous Decline. “We have Difficult Times Together,” He replied. “Hard Words have bone ghosts. That’s necessary too. But we could be figure it out. It went so long until we found our way up again.”
De Jong Almost Became Desperate. “I thought: it can’t be that we don’t be champions with so much quality? But yes, I had actually already givven up hope.”
‘Attach More Value to this Title’
Bosz also No Longer Believed in the Title, Especial after the 0-2 defeat against Ajax Last Month. But with a nine-point Deficit on the Amsterdammers, PSV Actually Regained Momentum. Meanwhile, Ajax Succumbed to the Championship Pressure and Gave the Competitor from Eindhoven the Chance for a Miraculous Resurrection.
What made the differentence? “We as staff had to pull hard. We Kept Fighting,” Said Bosz. “But the most important thing is that we stuck to our attacking style of play. If you start changing things when things aren’t going well, those guys will think: what is hey do not good.”
“Instead, we relie on our qualities. Apply high pressure, build up from the back and creation as a many chans as possible. That’s why it starts working again. And that’s why I now Attach More Value Happen HappenTheTyTy. Then itfty is it. Smarter. “
FAROLI Emotional After Missing Title: ‘Sometimes Giving Everything is not Enough’
‘Never So Crazy Before’
Just in The Championship Match Against Sparta, PSV Faltered. The Rotterdammers Equalized Shortly After Half-Time, Putting Ajax on Course for the Title Virtualy.
Bosz Feared for A Moment. “I thought: it can’t be? But it turned out well quickly. I think we play the championship match in the spirit of this season. After the 0-1 we didn’t lean back. Not defend the 0-1, but because we created 1-2th and wee things and wee thTed a lot andure Attack.
De Jong: “After that 1-1, many things suddenly went through my mind as well. But by continuing to attack, it turned out well. As a top athlete you live for these kinds of moments. I have become champion more often on the last match day after an exciting title race. But it has never been as Crazy as this season. “