After the 3-0 win over Ajax last Sunday, PSV is the favorite in the cup final against the same opponent next Sunday. At the Eindhoven club they do not dare to say that out loud, because they expect the Amsterdam rival to do things differently there. “We are ready for anything they can change.”
They do not want to take the role of favorite in Eindhoven. “That’s for you from the media. We are just going to prepare for Sunday,” said trainer Ruud van Nistelrooij in the run-up to the KNVB Cup final.
The fact that PSV won big against Ajax last Sunday did have an effect. “You start a week like that better. At PSV, a lesser result is quickly noticeable at the start of a week. Now it is easier to build on and everyone is good at it.”
“I also had some points after Sunday that I want to adjust.”
After the Eindhoven team rolled up Ajax last Sunday, the team from Amsterdam will certainly not sit still, according to Van Nistelrooij and captain Luuk de Jong.
“They are going to change something. Edson Álvarez is back and Kenneth Taylor is suspended. But I also had some points after Sunday that I want to adjust. But if you don’t mind, I won’t tell you until after the cup final,” said the trainer mysteriously.
Luuk de Jong went the extra mile. “I expect a completely different Ajax. They want to react, but we are ready for anything they can change.”
“It is in our own hands that we play with the same energy.”
Still, it is strange that the trainer and the captain expect a completely different game. Ajax cannot have bought any quality in one week. The only thing that can make a difference is the energy that is brought.
“That is why we have to be as fierce as Sunday. It is in our own hands that we play with the same energy. But there are more factors”, De Jong remained cautious.
“You won’t see a second place in the rows later on.”
Not a favorite role, but of course the absolute will to win. Because the cup final is seen as the main prize. “You won’t see a second place in the rows later,” said De Jong when asked what is more important.
Van Nistelrooij agreed with his captain. “But of course we also want to finish second. You became a footballer to win trophies. Starting in the preliminaries of the Champions League is not included. We want to win that cup from the start and are now where we want to be.”
PSV can count on an exasperated Ajax. “The most important thing is that we give a reaction now”, Ajax coach John Heitinga stated on the eve of the final battle in De Kuip. “Last Sunday we were not good and sharp enough and we were very sloppy with the ball”, Heitinga looked back on the 3-0 defeat in Eindhoven.
“We know what needs to be improved. We need to be firmer and the coordination needs to be better. In the final we need to be a strong collective. We are combative. It’s only about one game and we have to do everything we can to win the field We have to fight for it for ninety minutes and get the best out of ourselves. I didn’t see enough of that little poison last Sunday.”
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