what should we expect from Ruud van Nistelrooy’s PSV Eindhoven?
Opponents of AS Monaco who finished third in the Europa League group of Asemists last year, PSV Eindhoven wants revenge this time in the third preliminary round of the Champions League (meeting to follow on our live commented). A Dutch team that has kept a certain structure, but has nevertheless experienced some upheavals. Second in the last Dutch championship, PSV Eindhoven had a hectic but rather interesting summer. While the departures of Mario Götze (Eintracht Frankfurt) and Roger Schmidt (Benfica) quickly took shape, the Dutch team was able to quickly replace the two Germans. Active in the transfer window, the Eindhoven-based club got their hands on Guus Til to replace the 2014 world champion. Totally revived last season at Feyenoord (21 goals and 5 offerings in 49 games) after a flop in Russia at Spartak Moscow , the 24-year-old was one of the architects of the Rotterdam club’s great season, culminating in the lost Europa League Conference final against AS Roma (1-0). On the side of the coach, it is a former scorer of the house, Ruud van Nistelrooy who was chosen. Former coach of the young teams and former assistant to the Dutch selection, the 46-year-old man who is a legend of Dutch football will be keen to succeed in his first real experience as number one.
Whatever one might think of his lack of experience in this position, he still has eight years of coaching with PSV Eindhoven and the Oranje and revealed that the right time had come. “I didn’t want to throw myself headlong into this difficult profession. It took me nearly ten years to prepare for it and I now think I’m ready. I am proud, I played here and I will now lead PSV as head coach. But I also know that the hardest part begins and that having been a good player is not enough to become a good coach., he explained at the time of his appointment on the Boeren bench. Also benefiting from two other heavy reinforcements, Luuk de Jong (31, Sevilla) in attack to replace Eran Zahavi as well as Walter Benitez (29, Nice) to bring quality in goal, he will rely on young shoots like rookies Xavi Simons (19, PSG) and Ki-Jana Hoever (20, Wolverhampton) who have already taken their place in the eleven. Continuing in his predecessor’s 4-2-3-1 system, Ruud van Nistelrooy is quite faithful with his style of play as a player. Offensive and seductive, these are the key words.
A very offensive style
Knowing an interesting preparation with 16 goals scored for 9 goals conceded, Ruud van Nistelrooy will still have to find the right balance within his team. Nevertheless, good things have been hinted at and this should give rookie Guus Til a place of choice. Last Saturday in the Dutch Super Cup against Ajax Amsterdam, PSV Eindhoven won 5-3. Author of a holding hat-trick, the attacking midfielder knew how to be decisive and took advantage of the hard work of the wingers. In the absence of Noni Madueke, it was the young Johan Bakayoko (19) who played in the right lane while Cody Gakpo was placed on the left side. Two fast and restless elements who made the difference could not take advantage of Guus Til and Luuk de Jong in the axis. Be wary of the corridors, such will have to be the posture of Monaco against the Boeren. After this first trophy as a coach, Ruud van Nistelrooy could not keep his emotion: “Scoring five goals for Ajax is obviously a great achievement.” However, the defense where Walter Benitez and Ki-Jana Hoever joined Jordan Teze, Armando Obispo and Philipp Max will have to settle the bolts while the duo Joey Veerman – Ibrahim Sangaré remains a double pivot referent.
This match against AS Monaco will be a new big test for PSV Eindhoven version Ruud van Nistelrooy whose debut is rather recommended. Still in the run-in like ASM, this Dutch team will be a sacred piece for the formation of Philippe Clément. The Belgian coach showed suspicion at a press conference: “PSV players have shown the qualities we know of them, a great attacking force, a great collective, with experienced players. To score five goals on the Ajax pitch is a great achievement. But we are determined to beat a team like that.” Studying the game of his Dutch counterpart, Philippe Clément has also targeted transitions as the main axis of danger for his team: “I don’t know him personally. I know the great player he was. He was a striker, living his first months as number 1 coach. His team has a structure that is clear about attacking to win games. His best strength is the transition and the game on the ground. Forewarned, AS Monaco will have to put themselves at their best level already if they do not want to suffer a disappointment like last year, against Shakhtar Donetsk.