“We knew it would not be an easy game,” said Schouten. “Go Ahead has a good team. I think we would look good, but we should have scored earlier. If they prevent it with 1-0, then it will only be more difficult. They started leaning back, then you see that it is difficult in the small space.”
Special hit by Sergino Dest gives PSV Johan Cruijff Scale
In the final phase of the second half, PSV scored two goals. Schouten: “All in all, we won and played well. Whether I really think so? Yes. We should have scored a long time.”
Bosz sees that PSV people still have to get used to each other
Trainer Peter Bosz saw in the match for the Johan Cruijff Scale that the players of PSV still have to get used to each other. “I found our structure a bit slow. We have many new players. We still have to get to know each other. That coordination needs a little longer,” he said after the 2-1 victory over Go Ahead Eagles.
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PSV was 1-0 behind halfway. Bosz did not agree that his team gave away too many opportunities. “I thought that was better than expected. The ball that Go Ahead shot on the bar had to do with an individual error from Sergiño Dest. That is our way of playing. If someone gets in wrong, it immediately becomes dangerous.”
For Bosz it meant his fourth prize at PSV. “But also in total,” said the coach with a smile, referring to the fact that he had not won anything for his period in Eindhoven. “No, winning don’t get used to it. Here too I am very happy and happy with it.”
Just like before the game, Bosz did not want to indicate at the press conference why goalkeeper Matej Kovar is preferred over Nick Olij. “But it is not that we have sketched Nick another picture. I never indicate in advance whether someone will be the first or second goalkeeper. We have made two new keepers and they have to fight it out. In the end I decided to make this choice. That was difficult, because it is not for nothing that Nick is with the Dutch national team.”
Dest counts on more success with renewed PSV
Sergiño Dest has confidence despite the departure of many basic players that PSV will again be successful this season. “Many players are gone, but a lot of good were added. I think we have a very nice team,” said the defender, who made the winning goal in the match for the Johan Cruijff Scale against Go Ahead: 2-1.
It was his first goal since March 2024 for Dest. After that the former Ajax player was on the side for a long time with an injury. “I now feel that I still have to work on some things. I am certainly working on that. Hopefully I can play this entire season without injuries.”
Against Go Ahead, the victory came late. Dest: “It was a difficult competition. We created quite a lot of opportunities. If you score twice in the final phase and still win, that’s nice.”
Dest notices that automatisms have to be worked on. “As a team we have to get to know each other a little better. We have the first prize and go for more.”
Despite defeat ‘pretty satisfied’, Boel looks back on debut
Despite the defeat against PSV in the battle for the Johan Cruijff Scale (2-1), Melvin Boel has a good feeling about his debut at the highest football level. “Losing a final is never fun. If you zoom out on that, you can be quite satisfied with how we came up with,” said the Go Ahead Eagles trainer.
“We played against a good team, then you need a good football plan. I think we have made it quite difficult for PSV. I think PSV did not create very many opportunities,” said Boel, who was in the first division trainer of FC Dordrecht last season.
“Ultimately, you become a trainer to work at the highest level in large stadiums. It is super nice to be able to play your first game here. That is not every trainer awarded. You enjoy that, but during the game you are mainly busy winning.”
Go Ahead lost Oliver Antman to Rangers FC shortly before the Oliver Antman competition and receives a record amount of 6 million euros for the Finn. “My first reaction to general manager Jan Willem van Dop was: congratulations on this transfer. Then we have to look at what we need in our selection. We will talk about that. If there is room, we will certainly get players.”
The objective of Go Ahead Eagles, which finished seventh last season, is to maintain itself in the Eredivisie. Boel: “If we are on the required 34 points, we can always look further at what is possible.”