Head coach Phillip Cocu wants to winter with PSV in the UEFA Europa League this season. He expressed that objective ahead of the first qualifying game against NK Osijek. An opponent with qualities, Cocu believes. "It will certainly not be an easy duel."
Quality
Just under two weeks ago, PSV was linked by UEFA's draw to either NK Osijek or FC Lüzern for a game in the preliminary round of the UEFA Europa League. Finally, last Thursday, the number four of the Croatian league turned out to be PSV's opponent in the first of the two preliminary rounds that PSV must pass in order to qualify for the main tournament. For the general public, the least known of the two. "But," Cocu told the Philips Stadium Wednesday afternoon, "it is a team with a lot of quality."
"People often think about teams with unfamiliar names in football that PSV will just win handsomely. The past few years have shown that that is not how it works. We absolutely must not take the field with that approach. Certainly on a technical level Osijek is a good team. And given the many changes during the first matches in their league, they seem to be putting everything on the European matches at the moment."
PSV is in good shape
His own selection is in good shape, according to Cocu. "Very good, yes. We are over three and a half weeks in, have a fit group and have completed a good practice program. The biggest challenge in recent weeks has been to work towards this match without the team being completely fixed. That is difficult, but the boys have handled it excellently. The eleven who start tomorrow should create a good starting position."
One of those eleven may be Jorrit Hendrix. He seems to be one of the players to take the next step next season. "How important I am going to be this season remains to be seen," the midfielder himself remains on the sidelines. "I know very well what is expected of me, but I don't want to get too far ahead of myself yet. The season hasn't even started yet. Personally, I want to play as many games as possible for PSV this year and stay fit."
