Head coach Roger Schmidt knows PSV is close to reaching second place, but demands concentration from his players for the game with FC Utrecht. 'We just have to be focused on our own game,' he said the day after the 4-2 win over PEC Zwolle.
Not cheering yet
Although the German coach of PSV acknowledges that his team is in good shape, Schmidt does not want to know anything about a final performance just yet. "Despite the tough season, I want to end Sunday with a good game. With a good result, we will achieve what we want: second place. Once that is achieved, we can only recover. The season has asked a lot of everyone. So we have to show it one more time in Utrecht. FC Utrecht has a team that is good at switching so we have to stay alert," Schmidt said.
Setup
Schmidt did not want to make any statements about the lineup yet. "We're going for the best approach, because it's not done yet. Only after Sunday can we relax and spend time with our family. In a few weeks we will start preparing again for next season. Then the challenge will be to assemble another good team for next year."
The foundation has been laid
Next season, the head coach is aiming for more than second place. In fits and starts this season, he has already seen the football he wants to see. "In the league against Ajax and in the Europa League, for example. Unfortunately, at times we were also not sharp enough," Schmidt said. Therefore, Schmidt sees the growth PSV has experienced this year as a foundation for next season. Then he also expects to still be able to call on Mario Götze. "He is happy here and I have the feeling he will stay. Of course it could be different if something very special comes along, but that's not an issue right now."
Gakpo and Vertessen
Whether Götze will join the squad on Sunday is not yet clear. Cody Gakpo and Yorbe Vertessen will normally be there, and they are closing the season positively anyway. One is in the Dutch national team's pre-selection for the first time, the other seems to be breaking through to PSV 1 with goals and assists in recent games. "Cody has earned his call-up. He can force something out of nothing and has a great future ahead of him. Yorbe showed at training earlier this season that he has a great weapon with his speed and depth. Things were a bit against him in the beginning, but he has kept working for it and that has paid off in the last few weeks."