It was a long struggle for PSV against Excelsior, but thanks to three hits in the final phase, the Eindhoven team still ran far away from the Kralingers. Although it certainly wasn’t easy, Ruud van Nistelrooij’s victory still gave ‘a good feeling’. The PSV coach also took away the concerns about Luuk de Jong who had dropped out.
Van Nistelrooij found PSV to be mediocre before the break. “How we started was not good. With the qualities we have we can destroy the opponent with our ball possession, but that was not possible before the break. That has to do with sharpness, intensity and how you start the match. Our level was not good. After the break it got better”, said Van Nistelrooij in front of the cameras of ESPN.
PSV took an early lead against Excelsior, but only really lost the Kralingers in the last fifteen minutes. Although it didn’t seem easy after the break until Xavi Simons’ redeeming 2-0, Van Nistelrooij was satisfied with the second half. Also because the score was still quite high. “We wanted to win and increase our goal difference. That eventually worked out and so you end up the way you want: with a good feeling.”
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Van Nistelrooij replaced his injured striker Luuk de Jong at halftime, who had made it 1-0 with a ticker in the first half. The PSV coach took away his captain’s concerns about a possible injury. “He indicated that he had some trouble, but it was not serious. Luuk has been replaced as a precaution.”
Whoever was on the field for ninety minutes is Patrick van Aanholt. The 32-year-old left back steamed up several times against Excelsior and also delivered a ready-made assist for De Jong after eleven minutes. “Those are the moments I live for. If I have the space, I can go. Sometimes we still hang too much on the right side. I also indicated today that the space was more with me. But I get the ball enough, so it will all be fine.”
Van Aanholt was also happy with the victory, with which PSV benefited from AZ’s defeat at home against Sparta. “The first half was not good, but the final score says it all.”
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