Today at 3:00 PM • Updated today at 3:27 PM
Never before has PSV been able to prepare for the away match against Ajax as relaxed as this week. The national title has been won and Peter Bosz’s selection even went to Ibiza for a few days. According to PSV celebrities Willy and René van de Kerkhof, Peter Bosz and his men are absolutely right. “They are well rested and they will go into that match on Saturday with 200 percent,” Willy expects.
Yet there is also criticism of this holiday trip even though the season is not yet over. But the brothers make short work of that in the Willy and René Podcast of Omroep Brabant. “Valentijn Driessen from De Telegraaf called it unfair competition, but I don’t know why,” says René. Let him focus on Ajax and not PSV.” Willy also does not understand the criticism. “Bosz said it very well: we decide for ourselves how we prepare. And other clubs can do it too, right?”
What is special is that PSV will go to the Johan Cruijff Arena as champions this time and will therefore normally be welcomed with a guard of honor. But can Ajax do that for PSV? “I think so,” says Willy. The professionalism and collegiality is there and as a club you cannot avoid doing it. Only the audience is probably a different matter, they will probably whistle,” Willy laughs.
“What has he accomplished? Nothing!”
Small question of conscience for the brothers: wouldn’t they do the same if Ajax came to Eindhoven as champions? “We’re not going to whistle,” Willy says firmly. “Because we can’t whistle at all.” René sees it differently: “I would put down a large microphone and then….” And then he produces a whistle, without meaning it. “But I’m going to bring a championship bowl to Sjaak Swart one day, so he will know what that thing looks like.
René does not have much respect for the current Ajax either. “They deservedly won against NAC and Godts scored a world goal, but other than that it wasn’t much.” Wout Weghorst also has to pay the price for René again. “What has he done? Nothing! Maybe if you want to force something, you can insert him, but that can also work to your disadvantage.” Willy stands up for Weghorst. “Brother, I have to be honest: sometimes it’s best to have him around.” René is not convinced. “Okay, your opinion.”
“Perisic wanted to stay in Ibiza for a few more days.”
The brothers are both counting on a victory for PSV, although that will have to be without veteran Ivan Perisic. He received a yellow card just before the end against PEC on Thursday, which meant he was suspended. “A stupid yellow card,” Willy grumbles. “I didn’t expect that from him. Maybe he wanted to stay in Ibiza a few days longer. But Bosz shouldn’t have let him come on either. How long was there left to play? Bosz’s mistake.”
The brothers would also like to give a few compliments, for example to Esmir Bajraktarevic who scored twice. “He will soon play the World Cup. Then he can get some more playing time next year and we can enjoy him for another year.” They also like that young players can make their debut. “Like Joël van den Berg,” says René. “He played excellently.”
