If anyone knows what awaits the players of PSV-1 on Sunday, it is Wilfred Bouma. The assistant coach of Young PSV was in the final of the cup tournament no less than five times in his rich football career.
What is it like to play a final?
"It's a wonderful day that you've worked towards as a team for a long time. It is, more than usual, a stage to show yourself. The point of a match like that is that you may never get another chance. You have one match to play yourself into the history books."
Do you get used to it?
"No, and if you were to get used to that you have nothing to look forward to. A full stadium split in two between supporters from both sides, you don't forget that and it stays with you forever."
"Especially of your direct opponent, you know perfectly well what they do and don't do. The form of the day is therefore suddenly a lot more important."
Is a week leading up to the final different from a normal week?
"During such a week, it constantly stays in your mind. The final phase of a season is always different, because you can't drop any more stitches. Not in the league, but certainly not in the final of a cup tournament, where you have 90 minutes to win a prize."
You've won the final three times and lost twice. Which edition stands out to you the most?
"The 4-0 victory over Willem II in 2005. On the one hand because I scored the opening goal, but also because of the season we played. We reached the semifinals and even almost the final of the Champions League, became champions and eventually won the cup."
In 2012 and 2013, you played consecutive finals as the current PSV does now. Did that have any advantages or disadvantages?
"I was dyed-in-the-wool and had been in finals before. Only at that time we had a very young group of players. For the less experienced players it can definitely have advantages that you've been through it before."
Still, they lost to AZ, what was that due to?
"We quickly fell behind 2-0 and despite scoring the tying goal, we didn't overcome it. There was also some bad luck there, because there were still chances. For example, Lens shot the post in the closing stages."
"If I lost then, I could be at peace with it, because I had done everything I could."
Does it still matter that PSV is playing Ajax for the second time in a week on Sunday?
"The players will know everything about each other on Sunday. Especially of your direct opponent, you know perfectly well what they do and don't do. The form of the day is therefore suddenly a lot more important. Another aspect is confidence and that will now be in PSV's favor."
Were you especially keen to win or scared to lose?
"I always wanted to win and I did everything I could to make that happen. Then if I lost, I could be at peace with it because I had done everything I could. So I wasn't afraid to lose."
Do you have any tips for the players?
"Make sure you win your personal duels. Of course then there are nine other field players, but if you dominate your opponent, nine times out of 10 you win the game."
