Ramalho had to be replaced injured in the last game before the winter break against Go Ahead. The recovery after the ankle surgery went more smoothly than expected. For a few weeks, the Brazilian had been working towards rejoining the selection after the international break. According to trainer Roger Schmidt, Ramalho has such a good basic condition that he can play matches again soon. Jordan Teze has acted as his replacement for PSV in recent months. With his game, he forced a place in the pre-selection of Orange.
PSV started with thirteen players and two keepers preparing for next Sunday’s game against FC Twente. Those players, including Mario Götze, were back on the field for the first time after a six-day holiday. Schmidt decided on such a relatively long break because then his players can start the decisive phase fresh. PSV is still fighting for prizes on three fronts and will meet Leicester City in the quarterfinals of the Conference League.
Cody Gakpo, who dropped out injured at the Orange, was not on the field. Teze was also missing. Striker Eran Zahavi did train with PSV. The 34-year-old attacker has not been called up for the national team of Israel, which lost to Germany on Saturday.