NOS Football•
“In February you hope to participate on three fronts and we will,” says a satisfied PSV coach Ruud van Nistelrooij at a press conference in Eindhoven. “That’s what we’ve always wanted. We have to enjoy that and get the most out of it in the coming months.”
PSV is currently fourth in the Eredivisie, qualified for the quarter-finals of the KNVB Cup at the expense of FC Emmen and Sevilla is the opponent in the Europa League next week. Van Nistelrooij put pressure on Saturday’s match at 8 p.m. against FC Groningen, the number seventeen in the Eredivisie.
PSV cannot afford to lose points at four points from leader Feyenoord: “Three points tomorrow is a must.”
With the departure of technical director John de Jong in September and the transfers of tastemakers Cody Gakpo and Noni Madueke, it was an eventful first half year as PSV trainer for Van Nistelrooij. “A lot has happened,” said the coach. “My job is to keep things together.”
‘Hazard with immediate return, Van Aanholt fills it in great’
Van Nistelrooij is happy with his fit selection in this crucial phase of the season and is also pleased with the contribution of newcomers Thorgan Hazard and Patrick van Aanholt.
Hazard made his debut as a substitute with a goal against Feyenoord and gave an assist in the cup match with FC Emmen as a substitute. Van Aanholt started both games as left back.
“Those are wonderful signals,” says Van Nistelrooij. “The fact that he immediately has a return is a sign that he is quickly used to it and feels good. Now it is important for him to increase the number of minutes of play. Van Aanholt seems to be walking into the game without adjusting. He fills it great in a natural way.”
