PSV must ensure tonight, after two defeats, that the team stays in the KNVB Cup tournament. To do that, they will have to deal with Roda JC Kerkrade at home. That team was the strongest in the last two cup matches against PSV.
Major changes
The last time Roda met PSV in the cup tournament was in 2015. Of the eleven who beat PSV in extension back then, only three were in the starting lineup against sc Heerenveen last weekend. Indeed, the Limburgers have undergone a major transformation since wealthy Roda fan Frits Schrouff took over the club. No less than seventeen players left Kerkrade this summer, including Rydell Poepon, Arjan Swinkels and Hicham Faik. Twelve newcomers took their place. Among others, David Boysen, Roel Brouwers, Simon Church, Christian Kum and Abdul Ajagun were recruited.
Weak start to the season
So far, the renewed team is underperforming. After six games, Roda JC is in seventeenth place with three points. Moreover, the Limburgers were not ahead for a second in this Eredivisie. At PSV, there are questions about form after the losses against Atlético Madrid and Feyenoord, but in Kerkrade it will be no different after six games in the Eredivisie.
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Roda JC underwent another metamorphosis last summer, goalkeeper Benjamin van Leer (former PSV) did remain
Red cards for protesting
Newcomers Kum and Ajagun played unwanted leading roles this weekend by both receiving red cards in the lost home match against sc Heerenveen. Both received one of their two yellow cards for protesting. Coach Yannis Anastasiou will have both players available against PSV, because a suspension for a direct red card in the league counts in the KNVB Cup, but a suspension for two yellow cards does not.
PSV not at ease
Despite Roda JC's mediocre performance so far, PSV will not be at ease when it takes the field tomorrow. After all, the last two times PSV were also favorites, but with well-organized team play both times Roda managed to disrupt PSV's attacking play and advance.