After the cup win last Sunday, the PSV players had a few days off. But since Wednesday, the selection is sharp again for the next goal: second place in the competition. A tough away game awaits on Saturday against Sparta, which is playing surprisingly well this season and is fifth.
Ruud van Nistelrooij therefore labeled the match against the team from Rotterdam as a ‘key match’ during his talk with the press on Friday afternoon at training complex De Herdgang.
“The margins are small and we had to work very hard to get to second place,” said Van Nistelrooij. “We have enforced that and then you have to realize that failing once has crucial consequences.”
Stronger in second place
On Saturday evening, Ajax and AZ will play against each other in Amsterdam. One or both teams will drop points there, which means that PSV can come even closer to second place.
Feyenoord is almost impossible to catch up with and can already become champion on Sunday if PSV loses points against Sparta.
Van Nistelrooij cannot rely on Ibrahim Sangaré in Rotterdam on Saturday, because the midfielder is suspended. His replacement is Erick Gutiérrez.
Furthermore, Thorgan Hazard also did not come out of the cup final fit. Ismael Saibari, Armando Obispo and Mauro Júnior have been injured for a long time.