On the program is the match between PSV and NAC Breda. A real Brabant derby that will be played for the hundredth time. Several players have a past with both clubs. Like Ernie Brandts and Tommie van der Leegte. PSV.nl looks ahead to the match between PSV and NAC with them.
Ernie Brandts was an important player at PSV in the 1970s and 1980s. He became champion and won the UEFA Cup in 1978. Many years later he joined NAC, as trainer. From 2006 to 2008 he was the person with final responsibility at the club from Breda. Very cleverly he managed to lead NAC to third place in the league.
Supporters
Brandts remembers the games against NAC well as a PSV player. "They were always tough matches. The crowd was on top of it in the small stadium. But it was always great fun. I also remember well that we played against Tom Smits. He often played very well. Later he came to PSV. There in Breda it was always an old-fashioned football atmosphere."
Tommie van der Leegte can only agree. The player played a total of four seasons for PSV. The last two seasons of his career he was under contract in Breda. "Despite the fact that the capacity of the stadium is not that big, the atmosphere is huge. People sympathize with you so much. People are really behind the club. That's very nice. I therefore hope that NAC stays in the Eredivisie. That's where they belong. You really notice that the supporters live for these kind of matches. When I played with NAC against PSV, it gave me just that little bit more motivation. If we had to play Excelsior the week after PSV, I noticed that I could motivate myself less."
Van der Leegte in action against PSV
Fondest memory
Tommie van der Leegte also keeps fond memories of PSV-NAC. "In that match I scored my only goal in PSV's service. I still clearly remember what that goal was like. I was played the ball and NAC's goalkeeper (John Karelse, ed.) came out of his goal. All I could do was lob the ball over him. It was the 4-1 so not an important goal, but very nice for me. At a moment like that you feel like the luckiest man on earth."
In the 2007-2008 season, NAC managed a great performance. It finished third behind champions PSV and Ajax. Still, the team did not have very big names. Brandts explains how that performance came about. "We were really a team. Everyone wanted to go through fire for each other. The collective allowed the individual to excel. I was always blamed for one thing. If we were ahead 1-0, the opponent had better stop, so to speak. We never gave it away. That was our strength."
Upcoming match
Tommie van der Leegte still follows PSV. "My kids are absolutely crazy about PSV so I definitely follow the club closely. A few times a year I attend the matches." Van der Leegte thinks PSV will win the upcoming match. "I think NAC with this selection and in this form can't hurt PSV," he said.
Brandts also thinks PSV will keep the three points at home. "PSV didn't get off to a great start after the winter break, but the feeling is coming. NAC is really not in shape. I don't see NAC being able to stop PSV."
