PSV had no trouble with Fortuna Sittard on Saturday evening and, thanks to a hat trick from Ivan Perisic, won 4-1. The most important of the season for the Eindhoven players are the next two weeks. Next Sunday against Feyenoord, a victory will deliver second place and with it a Champions League ticket. But secretly PSV will still hope for the prolonging of the national title.
Fortuna Sittard did not come to the Philips Stadium for a nice game of football on Saturday evening. Trainer Danny Buijs opted for a defensive tactic in the hope of getting as few goals as possible to get the ears.
Within fifteen minutes, PSV opened the score by Ivan Perišic. The 36-year-old Kroaat has become extremely important for the team of trainer Peter Bosz in his first season. Important with goals, with assists, with his experience but also with his zest for work.
Huge opportunity
In the second half, the supporters just sat well. Would PSV completely blow away the Limburg opponent? After 57 minutes, the home crowd was able to cheer when Noa worked a pass by Guus Til in for a long time. Joey Veerman had a huge opportunity on the 4-1, but for the open goal he shot wide.
From nowhere the Limburgers came back to 3-1 halfway through the second half. Jasper Dahlhaus benefited from moderately defending and hit goalkeeper Walter Benítez. The margin soon became three again when Perišic got the ball in front of his feet after a pass from Til: 4-1. It then earned him a public change and a standing ovation of the Eindhoven supporters.
“He deserved the tribute.”
“I am impressed by his technique, his overview, his two -leggedness, but especially about how Ivan lives as a professional,” Bosz said at the press conference. “It’s great how he tries to take other boys in the selection. He deserved the public change and the tribute that the people gave to him tonight.”
Bosz does not yet know whether the Croat is staying at PSV. “It is a very experienced boy who played at large clubs in different countries. With us he makes an impression, although it is the Eredivisie. But Ivan also shows it in the Champions League. I think he feels the warmth within our club.”
After the simple win, PSV’s focus is on the away match against Feyenoord, next Sunday afternoon. Upon win, the team of trainer Peter Bosz is placed for the Champions League. But a victory is also necessary to keep the pressure on the leader Ajax.
“The only thought with us is the next match and that is Feyenoord,” said trainer Peter Bosz at the press conference afterwards. “It will be a competition that they have to win and we want to win. Who is going to put the best way of playing?”