PSV coach Phillip Cocu looks ahead to the away match against sc Heerenveen with cautious confidence: "It's bound to be a great game. You hear everywhere that they are brimming with self-confidence. It's a nice game to look forward to and a tough away game."
Recovery
Cocu hasn't stretched his players too much since the game against FC Rostov, which ended 2-2. "We have mainly been working on recovery. We have had a long trip. We watched the match back once and trained very briefly today. All the energy we are going to need in the match." Despite the short preparation, a victory is necessary: "This is an important match. Heerenveen are in a good position, by definition this match is not easy. It is up to us to get a good result. We do want to stay in contention for the top places and for that a win is necessary."
'Clubs act in their favor'
It is the reason Cocu regrets that the match could not be rescheduled. PSV wanted an extra day of rest after the match in Russia, but Heerenveen did not want to cooperate. "I think we have to make sure that these kinds of decisions no longer lie with the clubs. They think and act in their favor and that is their right. That will have to be changed in the future, that would be better for Dutch football."
Ramselaar, Hendrix and Locadia injured
Jürgen Locadia had been injured for some time, but this week Bart Ramselaar and Jorrit Hendrix also joined PSV's sickbay. Cocu is therefore keeping them out of the squad against sc Heerenveen. "Ramselaar's injury is not too bad. I am hopeful that he will rejoin after the international period. Hendrix is going to take a little longer. In four weeks we will do a renewed examination."
Psv U21 'Handsome'
Finally, Cocu had words of praise for Young PSV, which can take the period title on Friday night. "That's great. They started this season excellently. If you grab the first period that says enough. What I also think is clever is that in general they did it with the selection of Young PSV as well. Only a few players from PSV 1 participated, which deserves compliments."