For Head Coach Roger Schmidt, the home game against RKC Waalwijk is not one that will be "won just like that. In the busy schedule under current conditions, every game is a challenge, he acknowledges.
Privilege
Complaining about the full competition schedule is by no means something Schmidt wants to complain about. "This season is special. For us it is a privilege that we can play and come together at De Herdgang. But it remains a challenge to play at a high level every three days." Schmidt links to Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. "Even those clubs struggle in this situation and lose to teams from lower divisions. We are winning eight of our last 11 games. I can only be satisfied with that."
'Everyone needed'
In the fifth match in thirteen days, therefore, Schmidt also needs all his players badly. Not so long ago, PSV played in Waalwijk, something the coach has not forgotten. "They played good football with attacking intentions. We have to make sure we dominate." At least PSV cannot do that with Cody Gakpo and Mario Götze. The inclusion of Olivier Boscagli and Ibrahim Sangaré is also uncertain; they will be checked Saturday morning. Marco van Ginkel will in any case make his return to the matchday squad.
Development
For Schmidt, experience is the key to success. According to him, this psv U21 is gaining experience by 'learning by doing'. From his team he expects progression every week, so too against RKC Waalwijk. "We have to go forward in our ability every game," he said. The same goes for Adrian Fein, who has to make do with a limited number of minutes played this season. "On the ball he is tremendously good, but football is more than that. Right now the block with Rosario and Sangaré is like a house, so he has to make sure he is better than them. But I am satisfied with his development. Competition in midfield is only good for the team."