PSV lost on the road to FC Twente (3-2). Head coach Peter Bosz and Mauro Júnior noted a difference between the first and second halves. According to Bosz, PSV temporarily lost control after Ricardo Pepi ’s early injury, and at times the team did not defend well enough. “We had to adjust our pressing and coverage when we had the ball.”
PETER BOSZ
You lose in Enschede, Ricardo Pepi has to leave the field early, and then the flow of the game seems to change. How do you view that?
“We sometimes lost the ball too quickly and, as a result, lost control. Ricardo Pepi went out very early, and then we struggled to apply pressure and cover properly when we had possession. That’s when FC Twente scored, but after that we played well, scored some good goals, and had the game under control. Paul Wanner had another great chance right after halftime. I had no choice but to substitute him in the second half, and that was during a stretch when things weren’t going well.”
Are you disappointed by the goals conceded?
“I’m sick and tired of the goals we conceded, but I’m not referring to the first one. On the second goal, however, we didn’t play well ourselves, and on the third, certainly not at all. That one came from one of our corner kicks, with three players on the edge of the box. The setup was there, but the execution wasn’t. Aside from that, we didn’t defend well today. We also let the ball bounce too often.”
Do you think there are five teams this season that can stay in the title race for a long time?
“There could be a big gap among those teams this year. I don’t know if FC Twente and AZ are used to staying in a title race for a long time, but if you look at the standings now, you can already see that divide.”
You now have a three-week international break. How challenging is that, especially since a busy schedule awaits immediately afterward?
“It’s a given, and that’s what we want with PSV. That’s the kind of schedule you end up with. As a team, you have to deal with it, but we’ve been doing that very well for years.”
MAURO JÚNIOR
How do you look back on the match?
“We started off very well and were in control, but then conceded a goal. In the first half, we were able to turn things around thanks to some great goals by Guus [Til]. In the first half, we played good football, but that was largely missing in the second half. We struggled with our build-up play and in one-on-one situations. We had chances to pull ahead, but we didn’t capitalize on them, and that’s when it becomes a tough game.”
You’ve been playing for PSV for a long time. Do you see any differences between the teams over the past few years?
“In the first year, we had a great team and were able to play football with ease. Last year, things were a bit tougher at times, but we became national champions again. This year, we’ve already had a lot of tough matches, but we have a lot of quality as a group. We win and lose together, so we have to keep believing in our goal.”
Will it be more exciting than previous seasons?
“I think so. If you look at the opponent’s games and the points in the standings, we’re neck and neck. It’s going to be exciting.”
You’re heading to the Brazilian national team for the first time. What are your expectations?
“Tomorrow I’m flying to Brazil. I’m going to do my best and hope I get some playing time.”