PSV will face an opponent in form on Thursday. At least that is what head coach Roger Schmidt and defender Phillipp Mwene emphasized during their preview of this season's second group game in the UEFA Europa League.
Submission
Schmidt knows Sturm Graz well as an opponent. The PSV head coach was an opponent on several occasions during his time at Red Bull Salzburg, and in today's selection he encounters two players he himself had under his wing. "It is no coincidence that Sturm Graz is currently second in the Austrian league. The club and this team in particular has developed excellently in recent times," Schmidt said. "The coach has a clear way of playing and is excellent at transferring that to his selection. Fortified with the fanatical crowd here in Graz, we have a big task ahead of us," he continued.
Incident
PSV has fallen back a bit after an incredibly strong start to the season. Still, Schmidt thinks that the decline should not be made too big, referring to the game PSV put on the mat against Willem II last weekend. While that match was lost, it also offers starting points. "Last weekend we created a lot of chances and of course it's not good that we weren't able to convert them into goals. Still, I'm not too worried about that. We showed earlier in the season that we are a lot more efficient than last year. It has to be better than Saturday, but I also expect that to happen."
Mwene expects nice duel
Phillipp Mwene is the only PSV player playing a home game of sorts. The Austrian winger on his expectations of the match: "Austria does not have a traditional football culture, but I expect a good atmosphere tomorrow. Sturm Graz is known for their loyal and in a good way aggressive supporters. I expect a nice match, also because the team wants to play a bit in a similar way to PSV: full of aggression. Moreover, Sturm Graz is in form."
