Mark van Bommel eventually stood satisfied in front of FOX Sports' camera. However, to Hans Kraay Jr. he immediately placed a critical note. "Actually it was just very bad from us," he said.
Before halftime
The PSV head coach said so after analyzing PSV's first half. Indeed, at halftime Van Bommel's team was trailing 1-0. "First half I found moderate to very moderate," Van Bommel began. "There was an awful lot of space in the transition which we did not take advantage of. It was weak, we didn't put pressure and allowed the lines to get bigger and bigger. Actually it was just very bad from us," he concluded.
Small space
In the second half, PSV did put RKC with their backs against the wall. With the exception of the first minute after halftime, the home team did not get out of it and in fact it was waiting for a goal. Even when the home team made the spaces smaller and smaller. "I think those small spaces are the strength of our game," Van Bommel said. "You can see that in the second half. Then we were able to constantly keep the pressure on and create chances."
Mitroglou
In addition, substitutes Kostas Mitroglou and Bruma helped PSV turn the match around. "The strength of this selection is that we can vary an awful lot. The guys who came in now are just basic players at many other clubs," said the coach, who singled out goal scorer Mitroglou. "That's just a very good striker. He can do everything: heading, passing, playing smart and also bashing. If he has to."