PSV loses to Cambuur and FC Groningen, but shines against Arsenal. There is nothing to beat this season. It also remains elusive for Ruud van Nistelrooij. The trainer does everything he can to remove the deep valleys.
That PSV can play football well showed against Arsenal on Thursday evening. But how is it possible that the same team loses to relegation candidates? “That is difficult to explain. I try to make the players aware of the consequences it can have.”
“I couldn’t do it on Sunday”
Van Nistelrooij acknowledges that it is changeable: “It waves up and down and it remains erratic. Sunday I couldn’t do anything about it and yesterday I was sung to when I walked to my car. It’s all or nothing this season.”
With those three words, all or nothing, the former striker aptly summarizes the season. There is no guarantee that three points will be credited against NEC on Sunday afternoon, while on paper it should not be a problem. “NEC can also surprise,” Van Nistelrooij warns his team. “Fortuna Sittard also draws in the Kuip and Go Ahead Eagles takes a point in the Arena. Every game is a challenge, just like getting your team focused again.”
“That build-up to 90 minutes could just be Sunday”
The second half against Arsenal surprised Van Nistelrooij, but he knew that his team can do this: “We can reach this level. But there have also been games this season where we couldn’t do anything. You only have to see the loss against Groningen in perspective, that was only six minutes.”
There are in any case no excuses at home against NEC on Sunday afternoon. PSV must keep track of Ajax. In any case, it has an almost fit roster. The returned Luuk de Jong, Noni Madueke and Mauro Júnior seem more and more ready for 90 minutes. “That build-up to 90 minutes could just be Sunday.”
Also read: Joy at PSV after stunt on Arsenal: ‘Second half surprised me’