With the victory over Feyenoord in the Johan Cruijff Schaal, the 2023-2024 season has officially kicked off. Four days later, the European campaign also begins, as PSV aims to qualify for the playoffs for the group stage of the UEFA Champions League at the expense of SK Sturm Graz.
"It is a completely different team than against Feyenoord, both on the ball and without the ball," Bosz compared the upcoming opponent to the previous one. "They are very dangerous in the changeover, where they always play the ball behind the defense and from standard situations. So the remaining defense has to be in order tomorrow and, above all, we have to play our own game."
According to the coach, speed at the back is not a requirement to stop SK Sturm Graz's counters. "With speed, a defender can solve his own mistakes. I prefer a player to be intelligent and assess long balls well. In addition, defending doesn't start at the back, but at the front. That's where we can prevent a lot already."
Ramalho feels good in the system
André Ramalho had also joined the press conference. The Brazilian did not play as many games against any team as he did against SK Sturm Graz. "We have to be vigilant during the whole match for the counter and the game recovers," he said. They are really very good at that. In my time at Red Bull Salzburg, we always had a tough time against them." Moreover, the 31-year-old defender says he feels very comfortable with Bosz's style of play: "This is what I have played for a large part of my career, this is what I am used to."
Tickets are still available for the home game against SK Sturm Graz on Tuesday, Aug. 8.