Van Nistelrooij after PSV punishment: ‘We now know where we stand’ NOW

Ruud van Nistelrooij realizes that a lot still needs to be done in the preparation at PSV, after the Eindhoven team lost a practice match against 2. Bundesliga club Arminia Bielefeld with hard numbers. Partly due to defensive mistakes by PSV, the Germans won 4-0 in Mariënfeld.

“The result is clear and the conclusion is that it was not good,” Van Nistelrooij told VI and ED† The trainer gave Guus Til and Xavi Simons playing time for the first time against Bielefeld, while the new captain Luuk de Jong wore the belt.

Marco van Ginkel was allowed to start and he had a negative leading role in the 0-1. The experienced midfielder wanted to play back, but hit the ball wrong and goalkeeper Walter Benítez had to make an illegal save with his hands. The subsequent indirect free kick in the penalty area was a goal for Bielefeld. “The way we concede the first goal makes no sense,” said Van Nistelrooij.

The 3-0 was also unfortunate. A cross from Bielefeld was shot into his own goal by Derrick Luckassen. Van Nistelrooij: “There is still a lack of good coordination, it is also a new team. There were still many misunderstandings.”

‘It still didn’t work out’

Van Nistelrooij also attributes the defeat to fatigue at PSV, which did not look as fit as Bielefeld. The German club will start the competition next week, while PSV will only be waiting for the battle for the Johan Cruijff Scale against Ajax in three weeks.

“They are ready in the preparation, we have five players who have only been there the first week. They have now played 45 minutes. They showed certain intentions, but it was not yet realized. Also because of the fitness. We now know also where we are.”

The practice match against Bielefeld was the conclusion of the training camp in Germany for PSV. The KNVB cup holder will play three more practice matches in the coming weeks: against Villarreal (July 16), FC Eindhoven (July 19) and Real Betis (July 23).