Press conference | Bosz hints: 'Pepi starts, no Schouten'

Press conference | Bosz hints: 'Pepi starts, no Schouten'
5 min
PSV1

PSV starts against Liverpool FC without Jerdy Schouten and with Ricardo Pepi. There is also a chance that Adamo Nagalo will be back in the squad for the first time. That is what head coach Peter Bosz told the press conference ahead of the final round of the league phase.

Peter Bosz

How do you go into tomorrow's match?
"The goal is to make it to the next round. With a point we are sure of the playoff round. The confidence is there, but we are going to play against perhaps the best club in Europe - if not, in the world. I look forward to this kind of match. Überhaupt the UEFA Champions league is wonderful and then also against the leader. We can see if we can keep up at this level."

But there is little chance that if you lose you won't go through.
"The chance is always there, so that's why we want to get that point. Then you take away all doubts. You would beat yourself up if it's just that scenario that we don't pass."

This is the last match of the new pool phase. What do you think of this format?
"It's completely new, every round it starts to crystallize more. I like that, no one can run it. In the old-fashioned pool phase, it was clear one or two games before the end. You have eight different opponents. If you lose you're balking that there's no return, but if you win you're fine with that again. It's interesting. Teams like Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain really have to fight to get to the intermediate round, which makes it attractive."

How is it with the injuries in the selection?
"I don't know exactly yet myself. I sat down with Noa Lang this morning, he is not yet armpit fresh. If training goes well, Adamo Nagalo could be back with the squad tomorrow. Jerdy Schouten will not play at the back tomorrow, as he is not going to play at all. Armando Obispo was also sick in Belgrade. Then he did play a few minutes, but that was the maximum. Now he's back."

Do you also sometimes watch Liverpool as a fan?
"Definitely. As a fan, I watch Liverpool more often than many other teams. They play very nice football. Arne Slot is doing particularly well. Going to another country is already a challenge, but going to a top club is even more difficult. I find it remarkable that Liverpool made few big purchases and that they just went with the existing group. That may also have been an advantage."

Have you cracked Arne Slot's code?
"Last year we did, then we won at one point. But now it remains to be seen. I see comparisons between his Liverpool and his Feyenoord of last year when I look at his fielding. Letting the striker drop out, wanting to create overtal in midfield, letting the goalkeeper build up with him, these are all things he did at Feyenoord as well. The difference is that he does have better players with this Liverpool, of course."

Are you happy with your role as an underdog?
"If I'm very honest, I prefer to be the favorite myself, because that says something about your players. We are now playing against the best team of the moment. If you see how they are holding their own in the Premier League and have won everything in the UEFA Champions League. Then you can say they are the favorite."

Ricardo Pepi

Ricardo, you'll be in the starting lineup tomorrow, how does that feel?
"Of course it's a wonderful game to play, but whatever my role is, I will always be there. I'm ready for the chances I get and it's up to me to take them."

Yes, because you don't always play.
"No, of course it's difficult sometimes. But it's up to me to stay professional. I'm lucky I have a controlled character, which helps in my situation."

You're not the favorite tomorrow for a change. Will you go into the match differently than usual?
"Above all, it's a great opportunity to show what we can do. It's a big test, but we have a great team and the qualities and resilience to get a result. No matter how difficult."

Are you looking forward to playing against Virgil van Dijk?
"He's a great player, so it will be a challenge. That goes for their entire selection, by the way. They are all top players with an incredible winner's mentality."