At the post-match press conference, Guus Til and head coach Peter Bosz drew the same conclusion: the opponent wanted more than PSV. "They played with a lion's heart," he said.
GuusTil
You look disappointed, this will hit hard?
"True, we just weren't good today. I felt like they wanted it more than we did. That's a painful conclusion, but we lost too many duels, it was too weak. I find it hard to say anything about it, so then you quickly come to such a conclusion. Whether it's true, I don't know."
How did you come out of the locker room after halftime?
"The belief was there, but you have to have a little bit of luck. The fact that we got into that situation is not good."
So what is that due to?
"I'm sure quality is not the problem, but what it is.... If we knew, we would have already changed it."
Peter Bosz
Guus sat here disappointed, how is that with you?
"It's the same with me, but it's with everyone who cares about PSV."
He drew the conclusion that they preferred it, do you agree?
"It seems so, because we didn't get into it in the first half. Only in the second half, when we started playing with different fielding, did we get a grip on it. It's unfortunate that we need a deficit to start playing better. Over the whole match, Go Ahead Eagles is the rightful finalist."
So does it hurt extra that this happens in the semifinals?
"Yes, because you play the semifinals of the cup at home, a huge opportunity to go to the final. That chance is gone and it's not coming back this season. They played with a lion's heart, as they should have. That they then got a little lucky in the second half, they also enforced that."
What does the difference between the first and second halves tell you?
"Of course there is a difference, but as big as today, that is not allowed in the top. As a top athlete you should not be able to stand your losses, that should be enough motivation. Still, we don't bring enough to win."
Now it's a lot about wanting, but isn't it also a tactical aspect?
"Yes, because if you get a counter against, you're not in a good position. Only those are things we can easily analyze. The mental part might be harder to solve."
You meet this team again on Saturday, how do you look at it?
"With feelings of revenge."