Head coach Roger Schmidt dwelt extensively on recent developments at PSV on Friday morning. Ahead of the game with ADO Den Haag, he talked about the difference between Ajax and PSV, the cup elimination, the development of some players, his substitution policy and his expectations for ADO - PSV.
Disappointment
At a well-attended press meeting, the match against Ajax was first reviewed. The elimination still disappointed Schmidt a few days later. "We didn't show that we wanted to win at all costs. In the second half we were able to make a game of it. Then I did see the will you need. I even had the feeling that if we made it 2-2, we could go at it and over it."
Nuance
At the same time, there are reasons for the defeat, Schmidt believes. "We set ourselves high goals this season. Both nationally and internationally. In my view, to become champions in the Eredivisie you have to perform better than you can expect based on the proportions. Ajax has more opportunities financially and consists of a group of players who have been playing together for a long time. PSV doesn't have that luxury. We are on our way and I think we can grow as a team. There is no shame in being eliminated by Ajax. It is, in my opinion, the toughest possible draw."
'Stop the VAR'
The PSV head coach believes his team also had little luck, pointing to the ungiven red card to Nicolas Tagliafico. The Argentine planted his studs purposefully on the ankle of Mohamed Ihattaren shortly after the equalizer far too late. "If they are allowed to enter duels like that without getting a red card, it is impossible to become champions. That seems clear to me," said Schmidt, who did not understand why VAR did not intervene. "I think that's also why we'd better stop using VAR. What is it for if you do nothing in situations like this? Just stop it."
"We have tested the system for two years, but find so many errors every week," Schmidt continued. "Not only in the Netherlands, also in Germany and in the rest of the world. My conclusion: if VAR does not reverse a thousand percent wrong decisions, but weighs cases of doubt, then stop it. I can live better with referee errors than VAR errors. The referees are so often right so I can accept if they are wrong once in a while when a decision is very close ."
Substitution policy
Following the game against Ajax, Schmidt's substitution policy also came up for discussion again. According to many media representatives, the coach (too) often brings his best players to the side. Against Ajax, according to them, it was the case with Ihattaren. "It doesn't matter in this country if the technically best players are on their last legs, in the Netherlands everyone thinks those players should always stay. I am the coach and also base my decisions on other things. Everyone may disagree with that, but that is how I see it," Schmidt said.
"Ihattaren played well, but ten minutes before time we needed something different. I thought we could add speed and depth to our game with Yorbe Vertessen. Also a great talent from PSV. It's not like Mo had seven shots on goal and ten key passes. Mo played a good game, played some good balls, but at the same time got tired and was not decisive. That's why I substituted him."
Development
About Ihattaren's development, Schmidt is nevertheless satisfied. "Tactically he has grown this season and he has also become stronger physically. Technically, Mo was already very good. Now he has to become even more compelling. Getting into the sixteen more, making the decisive pass more often and breaking away from his direct competitor more often. That has to do with will and knowing when to push," said Schmidt, who added that he also wants to see that more with Noni Madueke. "That's inherent in young players."
The duo of Ibrahim Sangaré and Pablo Rosario also came up during the press interview. Here and there criticism is heard about the footballing ability of the two, but Schmidt disagrees. "Sangaré was not in top form the last two games, but I think he and Pablo Rosario are top players. They are physically strong players who both can also be creative. For example, if you look at the ball Rosario played to Jordan Teze against FC Twente, after which Donyell Malen missed the chance for his hat-trick. That was a pass of a very high level. When a ball like that is played in the Champions League final, everyone talks about it afterwards. Sangaré, too, can make those passes. Moreover, they have potential to get even better."
ADO Den Haag
With all these topics, you would almost forget that PSV 'just' plays another match tomorrow. They will kick off against ADO in The Hague at 4:30 pm. "That match will of course be a different one than last Wednesday. I expect them to play with five defenders and lurk on the counter. That means you need patience, strong moments of counterpressure and concentration defensively," Schmidt, who may have Mario Götze and Cody Gakpi back at his disposal, glanced ahead. "Mario and Cody trained and that went well. Today they are participating again. We have to wait and see how they react to that."