Peter Bosz is looking forward to the start of a new UEFA Champions League adventure. The PSV head coach believes his team must strive to improve with every match and, moreover, sees clear progress compared to last season. “I dare say we’re further along than we were this time last year.”
Should the UEFA Champions League take it up a notch?
“I think you always have to do that in elite sports—even if you haven’t necessarily fallen short of anything. If you don’t get better, you won’t become champion for the fourth time. The same applies in the [UEFA] Champions League. The goal is to win every match.”
What’s your take on Shakhtar Donetsk?
“They’re able to field a strong team every season. They’ve been doing that for decades, and that’s impressive. This year, of course, there are a lot of Brazilians again—that’s well known. They have a team with a lot of quality.”
Last season, Union Saint-Gillis got off to a rocky start in the [UEFA] Champions League. Are you carrying that experience with you into this match?
“It’s very easy to say that we should have won that first match. Of course we want that. But at that stage, we just weren’t ready yet. I’d go so far as to say we’re further along than we were this time last year. We’re playing better football. A loss like the one against Telstar wouldn’t happen to us now.”
You regularly speak highly of Ivan Perišić. What makes him so valuable to PSV?
“First and foremost, it’s great that a player like him is playing football in the Netherlands. He really does teach the young guys a lot. That takes you to a higher level. His list of clubs is impressive. His work ethic, nutrition, balance between work and rest, and football intelligence—there’s a lot the young players can learn from him.”
Are there any other absentees besides Mauro Júnior ?
“Apart from Mikkel, who isn’t on the list, and the usual injured players, no one else has been added. Kiliann is scheduled for surgery soon, though, so he’ll be out a bit longer.”
How is Dennis Man doing?
“He’s been training with the team, and there’s a chance he’ll make the roster. In any case, he’s close to making a comeback.”
How is Pléa’s recovery going?
“He’s making progress, but he still has a few steps to take before he can play in matches. He suffered a very serious injury last year—one that takes even longer to heal than a cruciate ligament tear. The fact that he’s now dealing with another issue on top of that makes it even harder.”
Ruben van Bommel has been the subject of a lot of criticism recently. Have you spoken to him about that yet?
“I haven’t spoken with him, because so many people have already done that. If I were to do that too… Let me start by saying that I’m very happy that [Aaron] Bouwman is doing well and that he’ll be able to train again next week. As for the incident itself, I’ll be clear: I find it laughable that it received so much attention. There wasn’t that same collective outrage when Pléa suffered a serious injury. Even though he was out for a year. But that’s over now. We’re playing Shakhtar tomorrow, and that’s what we’re focusing on from now on.”
PSV has lost some quality compared to last season. How do you view that change?
“With Joey, for example, you could count on a certain number of assists per season. You can’t assume that anymore, but it’s up to the other guys to seize those opportunities.”
What does it say about PSV’s level that Ismael Saibari and Joey Veerman can immediately compete with clubs from the top tier of German football?
“That we’re at a very high level.”
What excites you the most personally about this European season?
“I always really enjoy the draw. Have I ever been to that club before? Are there players there I’ve worked with? That’s exciting beforehand. During the tournament, it’s the level of play—as you could see again on TV yesterday. The fact that we’re participating in it, that we get to compete against the best clubs once more—that’s what I’m looking forward to.”