Peter Bosz is confidently looking ahead to PSV's away game against N.E.C., to be played tomorrow night. During the international period, the coach used the time to pay attention to the stragglers in Eindhoven and worked on accents toward the game in Nijmegen. For Bosz, only one thing counts: showing up at the kickoff well prepared and seizing another chance to win there.
Do you see this period after the international break as the beginning of block two of the season?
"I don't look in blocks, but always at the next match. Now that's N.E.C., and of course we want to win that one. Important for me is to check in with my players and give them the right attention. After an international period we do have to be careful, especially with guys coming back from overseas. We have good contact with the league about that, and the training sessions for the internationals are shorter then, because we really have to pay attention to them.
In the meantime, I have enjoyed watching N.E.C.'s analysis. It is fun to watch their football: you see fun of play and a team that plays forward. So for me this is a great match, a real topper."
What was this period like for the selection that stayed here?
"For the group that stayed in Eindhoven, the main focus in this international period was the practice match. It allowed us to give players extra minutes, which is important at this stage of the season. At the same time, we used that match to set accents towards N.E.C., so that we are well prepared. Such a period without league football is always a time to work on details and make players fitter and more rhythmic. Tomorrow we will get another chance to show that."
How do you look at the striker position for tomorrow?
"We have players who joined later and therefore are not yet fully match fit. That takes time. For example, Myron trained individually for a long time and not with the group; that intensity is very different. He is making strides and that is going fast, but it is still a process. I can count on both Ricardo and Myron, but not completely yet. In addition, of course, we have Ivan, who can also fill that position excellently."
How are the other newcomers doing?
"Anass also needs to make steps after his arrival, but in terms of fitness he is already a lot further along. In addition, Paul Wanner needs time. He has just come in, only nineteen years old, comes from a different country and a different football culture. Moreover, he is recovering from an ankle injury. We have to build him up slowly and let him get used to it, but he is making great strides. Tomorrow we will see if they can both play."