Roeland ten Berge will face PSV Women this weekend against the club he coached for five years: sc Heerenveen. He does not expect to see many old friends again. He does want to see a continuation of the good first half against FC Twente and aims for revenge after last season's cup elimination.
Are you satisfied with last season?
"Definitely, we had a good season, with a new, attacking and dominant style of play. We got better and better during the season, which led us to third place. We also competed for the Eredivisie Cup, which unfortunately we narrowly lost in the final."
What do you expect from the upcoming season?
"We have started well. The draw against FC Twente tells us that we are on the right track. Last season, although we finished third, the gap was still fifteen and thirteen points with FC Twente and AFC Ajax, respectively. It's up to us to close that gap this season."
What did you think of the preparation?
"The preparation was actually kind of divided into two blocks. In the first block the A internationals were absent and during the second block four players were in Colombia for the World Cup O20. As a result, the selection was hardly ever complete. That is not optimal, but we nevertheless played good matches. During the tournament in Toulouse, we had very tough opponents and I think we held up well there. That's very positive."
How do you look back on the game against FC Twente?
"Especially in the first half, we played very well. We created a lot of chances and were definitely the superior side. The second half we also started strongly, but we were forced to make some adjustments. FC Twente also started to play differently, which gave them more grip on the game. All in all, I think we played a good game in which we perhaps deserved more than one point."
FC Twente is one of the favorites for the title again this year. So does this tie feel like a confirmation that you guys can compete in that?
"Yes, I think so. In the preparation we also played against good opponents. But preparation games are different from games that really matter. That's why I was very curious to see where we would stand against FC Twente. When I look at that match, I think we are in a good position."
What do you expect from sc Heerenveen?
"I can't say much about that. They started the season with a defeat and a draw, but in that they played attacking football. It may be that, like last season in the cup against us, they will slump. Then we struggled with their style of play and they eliminated us. In any case, we will go from our own strengths. If we reach our level, I am convinced we will win."
Your old employer, do you still know many people there and is that going to help you beat them?
"No, I don't think so. There are only a few players left there that I know, the rest have all left. A lot has changed since I left, so I don't think we can get anything out of that. We have analyzed games of them, we can do something with that."
Would you like to follow the match? You can watch Sc Heerenveen Women - PSV Women live Sunday, Oct. 13 at 12:15 p.m. via ESPN 1.