PSV took a step in the right direction in the battle for the Johan Cruijff Schaal against Go Ahead Eagles. But according to coach Peter Bosz, his team still lacks consistency. “Something like that grows in a season.”
PSV’s victory was deserved based on the many chances, according to Bosz. “But we are really not ready yet (for this season, ed.)”, said the coach at the press conference. “That’s not possible at all.”
‘Need time to get used to’
According to Bosz, this is not yet possible due to the many changes in the selection. A total of eight players left Eindhoven, including regular players Luuk de Jong, Tillman, Olivier Boscagli, Walter Benítez and Noa Lang.
Six new players came to Eindhoven, including goalkeeper Matej Kovár, defender Yarek Gasiorowski and attackers Ruben van Bommel and Alassane Pléa. They have only been training for a few weeks and need to get used to the playing style.
“It is logical that those guys need time,” said Bosz after the press conference. “At Go Ahead there were nine players in the starting line-up who also participated last year. Those certainties are there. That is different with us.”
The lack of consistency was reflected on Sunday. As is known, PSV puts high pressure under Bosz and the team plays one-on-one as much as possible. But now and then it went wrong during the coverage, which suddenly left PSV open.
That happened at 0-1. Ivan Perisic covered incorrectly and a few seconds later it was hit. “It’s all about coordination,” said Bosz, who denied that his playing style is too risky. “For that, boys have to play together longer. Something like that grows during the season.”
Too slow build-up by newcomers
Bosz also believes that more certainties must arise in PSV’s build-up. With keeper Benítez and the strong builder Boscagli in the team, the patterns and coordination with the midfielders have been clear in recent years.
With goalkeeper Kovár and defender Gasiorowski, the build-up against Go Ahead was still too “slow”. “We played with a new keeper and central defender, who still have to get to know each other. You could see that.”
All in all, there is plenty of work to be done for Bosz towards PSV’s first league match, at home against Sparta Rotterdam on Saturday (kick-off at 9 p.m.).
But the coach is not worried about the rest of the season. “The new guys really have quality, so I’m very happy with that.”
Bosz was shocked by Kovár’s turn
Bosz appointed goalkeeper Matej Kovár as PSV’s first keeper for the match against Go Ahead. The Czech will in any case initially be preferred over Nick Olij.
Kovár made a good impression on Bosz against Go Ahead. “I thought he did well. But there were also moments. For example, when he came out and turned again. I have a good heart, but that shouldn’t happen too often.”
Bosz became irritated when a reporter suggested that Olij might have come to Eindhoven with different expectations than for a role as second goalkeeper.
“I never indicate whether someone is being brought in as first or second goalkeeper. He came here with the idea that two new keepers would be brought in and he had to fight for his place.”