A special duel is scheduled for Trent Sainsbury next weekend. Saturday, the 26-year-old defender will travel to Zwolle for the first time to face not PEC, but PEC. "That will be a special feeling," he said.
PEC past
Between January 2014 and January 2016, Sainsbury played a total of 34 games in the PEC shirt. With the Zwolle side, he won a KNVB Cup and Johan Cruijff Schaal, although he watched the cup final from the stands due to a broken kneecap. Once fit, Sainsbury immediately regained a starting place. "It's both crazy and special to return to Zwolle. I really had a great time there. Going there in a different shirt will be a special feeling," the Australian said.
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Sainsbury (left) in action for PEC Zwolle
BATE Borisov
Last week, Sainsbury did not travel with the squad to Belarus. While PSV maneuvered their way to a good starting position in Borisov to reach the group stage of the UEFA Champions League, Sainsbury trained, 1584 kilometers west at De Herdgang. "Of course I would have liked to have been with the team to be able to support the boys," Sainsbury explained. "But to really be of value it was better to train hard for myself this week. I know my body pretty well by now and know what it takes to get fit. It's going to be another long season and to be successful, I still needed to invest in myself. Of course I missed being there."
Netherlands
Because of his past in Zwolle, the Australian who is expecting a child with his wife next year has no problem adjusting to the Netherlands. Indeed, Sainsbury is only too happy to be back. "The people are nice, everyone is friendly and helpful. Also, the way things go and are arranged in the Netherlands is nice. If something has to happen, it happens. I like that attitude a lot."
Eindhoven
And Eindhoven also pleases. "I live pretty high up at the moment, but I'm glad I found a place in Eindhoven. My wife is going to furnish it, I don't interfere with that," he laughs. "I especially enjoy being here. There are nice places here. We visit the Coffeelab and Happiness Café from time to time."
As Australia's international in duel with Timo Werner