Head coach Peter Bosz looked ahead to the first league game of the new season on Friday afternoon. Apart from the fact that the press conference was broadcast live on PSV Play, there was little news to report. In any case, the coach is happy that he has something to choose from up front.
How is the fitness of the squad?
"In my opinion, pretty good. Of course we have to continue to grow in this during the season, but we are in good shape. It's nice that we already played an important game last week."
What do you take away from the Johan Cruijff Schaal match?
"The most important thing, that we won the first prize of the season. Some would say this prize is less important than a KNVB Cup or national title, but it remains a prize regardless. The feeling of this victory you take with you to next match."
What does this award do to the group?
"Not that much. It probably would have done more if we had lost the game. Then I might have sat with some grumpy guys this week. But the win gives a good feeling for the team heading into the rest of the season. We're on the right track."
Do you already know who will be deployable from the start tomorrow?
"Largely yes, not completely yet. We have one more training session to go and then I'll have a definite idea of who will be deployable tomorrow. Esmir Bajraktarevic trained fully again yesterday, but I want to see that after today. If it goes well today, I would very much like to have him there tomorrow."
Have you decided what the starting lineup will be?
"Yes, I have decided on that. But I'm not going to discuss this yet, you will see that tomorrow."
The team spirit must grow, good results are stimulating.
Does it bother you that you have a luxury problem with Plea and Pepi? "Luxury problems I like to have. Plea can play in multiple positions. I am very happy to have two excellent strikers to choose from."
Are you still looking for a replacement for Johan Bakayoko?
"We are indeed still looking for a replacement for Johan. But only if it is quality and is better than what we have now and what is running around in the youth."
Is there any clarity on whether Tygo Land will be rented out for next season?
"For Tygo as well as Isaac, they are now at a point, they are so good, that they really need to start making minutes at premier league level and no longer at KKD level. And that will probably not happen enough with us this season."
Sparta at home, do you think this can be a dangerous match?"Sparta has quality, but I think we have a better team. We have to be focused and show good quality play. Also, be very alert not to leave any points here."
Is becoming champion three times in a row even more difficult than in past seasons?
"Yes, it absolutely is. Every season has a different starting point. In the first season, as a new coach, I also encounter a new group. For a long time PSV had not played a UEFA Champions League and had not won a championship. I noticed from everything that these players were hungry. The second season there were few changes in the selection and I noticed that the players were less hungry. Fortunately this turned around towards the end of the season. And now in the third season that I have been coach here, there have been many changes in the selection. Eight players gone with a lot of experience as well. Luuk, Noa, Olivier, etc are players who have a lot of experience. But on the other hand we also have young players in return like a Ruben and Yarek. Every season has a different starting position and the same applies again to this season."
How is the team spirit now with the many mutations in the selection?
"We are still working on that. When you talk about team spirit, chemistry in a team, it takes time. For many guys it's a new group, new city and maybe even a new language. The team spirit has to grow; good results are stimulating in that. Of course we have to get to know each other well. That takes a lot of time."