To reach the semifinals of the TOTO KNVB Beker, PSV must take care of Feyenoord Wednesday night at 8:45 p.m. According to head coach Phillip Cocu, that is only possible if his players really dare to play football. "We have to show guts in De Kuip in order to win."
Dare
Cocu told that at the press conference, Tuesday ahead of the game. "What I mean by daring," Cocu repeated a question from one of the journalists present. "It's about how you show yourself, nobody should play hide-and-seek. You have to want to have the ball, dare to make runs. If one or two players don't do that, it becomes more difficult. I am curious to what extent the boys have taken a step in that," the head coach said, referring to the game against Ajax in which PSV lacked that guts, according to Cocu.
Saving the season
For Feyenoord, the game is the chance to save the season. Coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst said earlier this week that he no longer expected a second successive title. The KNVB Cup is seen as the last tangible prize the Rotterdammers can win this year. "Beating Feyenoord is a big task," Cocu agreed. "I think Feyenoord have a strong selection, with a good structure, a strong axis and a lot of creativity. They have had to overcome some setbacks this year because of injuries, among other things, but they just have a lot of qualities."
Transfer
The match against Feyenoord is simultaneous with the final hours that the transfer market is open. Cocu still hopes to strengthen his squad and agrees that PSV is busy. "Something is going on, that's all I can really say about it. It doesn't depend only on PSV, I hope it works out," Cocu concluded.