PSV will ‘make war’ in the match against Napoli, Sergiño Dest said at the press conference on Monday in the run-up to Tuesday’s Champions League match. Trainer Peter Bosz is confident of a good outcome against the reigning champion of Italy.
“I’m going for it 100 percent. I have to provide a lot of energy and try to motivate the boys,” says the American PSV back. He does acknowledge that a strong opponent is coming to visit. “In Italy, football is a matter of life and death. That is something we can still learn from.”
Yet Dest has full confidence: “We are in a good position flow and I estimate our chances well.” According to Bosz, PSV is also in good shape: “We are becoming more secure in possession of the ball.” According to the trainer, this has taken some time: “It makes sense if you have to fit in eight new players. That takes time.”
The meeting with Napoli is crucial for PSV. After two games in the Champions League, the Eindhoven team only has one point and so they must win, Dest also believes. “It has to happen now. We are playing at home, so we have to go to war.” Bosz slows down a bit: “The soldiers don’t care.”
Noah Long
PSV meets an old acquaintance at Napoli: Noa Lang moved from Eindhoven to Italy this summer. We should not expect the much-discussed winger to kick off, he is having a difficult start in Naples. Yet Bosz cherishes fond memories of the winger: “People quickly have an image of him: tattoos and rapping. But I know him differently. Very social and busy with his fellow players. He was a leader here who kept the group together.”
The coach is not surprised that he has not yet succeeded in Italy: “We sometimes underestimate what it is like to go to another competition as a foreigner. In the long term, I know that Noa will find his place.” If he does appear at the kick-off, Dest knows what he has to do: “A lot of food, lots of carbohydrates. Then he has to run after me.”
Bosz does not want to say anything about PSV’s line-up this Monday. Ricardo Pepi and Myron Boadu are fit enough to start, but cannot play a full match yet. It is expected that Guus Til will start in rush hour again.