After a long absence, André Ramalho will return to PSV's matchday squad in the near future. The Brazilian defender injured his ankle last December, but resumed group training last week. "I feel in good shape. It's very nice to be back."
Injury
Just back to the end of the first half of the season. PSV is leading 2-0 at Philips Stadium. No crowd and Ramalho has the ball and suddenly an opponent pops up in his back. "It was in the home game against Go Ahead Eagles. I heard a crack in my left ankle. I felt right away that something was wrong. At first I thought something broke. Fortunately, that turned out not to be the case. An operation turned out to be necessary to recover as quickly as possible."
Mentally
"Mentally it was very tough the first few weeks," Ramalho says. "This was my first serious injury. I wanted to be of service to the team, but I was sitting at home and couldn't be part of the group. The first days after surgery, it seemed like time stood still. Fortunately, I was able to turn the knob quickly and focus myself on recovery."
Return
The defender, who has played 17 league games so far and scored three goals in them, hopes to make his return to match play soon. "Can go very quickly, but it may also take some time. The reaction my foot gives to the efforts at training is leading in this. In any case, it is going in the right direction. I am doing my very best to be of value to the team as soon as possible."
Busy schedule
Head coach Roger Schmidt thus gets more options in defense. That comes at just the right time for the German. The program is packed with decisive matches in the coming weeks. "It is very good that we are still competing on three fronts for the prizes," Ramalho said. "We have enough quality in the selection to play for the prizes. We are aware of that. It's not everyday that PSV is in the quarterfinals of a European tournament. I am very much looking forward to the games against Leicester City. We are certainly not hopeless."
Fans
Ramalho's return will feel like a warm bath for the Brazilian. The defender will then play in a full stadium for the first time since October. "The fans' return to the stadium is very important for us. Without fans there is no football. They make football so special. We feel the support from the stands. It really helps us. The supporters in Eindhoven are many and they support us for better or worse. It always gives us extra motivation," Ramalho concludes with a grin on his face.
