Enschede lives between hope and fear ahead of PSV: “It’s the toughest away match you can draw”
1 min readWhere PSV has long since been well and truly played out this season, that is not the case for the last opponent of the season, FC Twente. The Tukkers are currently in third place, which gives them a spot in the Champions League qualifying rounds, and the team of John van den Brom hopes that after the final whistle on Sunday afternoon they will still be in that position.
With a victory for FC Twente at the Philips Stadium, the team from Enschede coming next season is guaranteed to take part in the Champions League qualifying round. In the event of a draw, the Tukkers depend on the result of the competition NEC at home against Go Ahead Eagles.
In the event of a defeat, FC Twente also has to keep a sideways eye on the result of number five Ajax. The Amsterdam team are fifth, three points behind, and play away on Sunday afternoon at sc Heerenveen.
In Tukkerland there is a lot of discussion about how FC Twente should approach the last league match against PSV. ''Make a tribute line and don't provoke Ivan Perisic. PSV did that too wrong in the Champions League against FC Bayern München. There was a scuffle and then I thought: 'Don't make Joshua Kimmich angry now, because if he turns the engine on for a moment, FC Bayern München will run right over you'. And that happened too. No, more than a tribute line. I would pamper PSV completely. 'Oh, how good you are''', says journalist Tijmen van Wissing at De Oosttribune on RTV Oost.
After that, presenter Bert van Losser mentions the fact that the wife of PSV coach Peter Bosz is a fervent supporter of FC Twente. ''Bosz's wife is a big Twente fan. She’ll say something like: 'Do it a bit mild''', Van Losser said.
Subsequently, the opportunities and possibilities for John van den Brom's team are discussed. ''It is the toughest away match you can draw'', says Jan van Staa.
''If PSV takes it easy? Well, it’s also their last home match,'' replies former footballer Jack de Gier to that.
After that, the PSV player that the men fear the most is also mentioned. ''Yes, that Perisic had plenty of motivation for it yesterday. And PSV has the goal of scoring 100 times this season. They are at 96 right now'', Van Wissing said.
''They can also go through there in the knife. FC Twente is currently also not a pushover team. I hope for an open match and that FC Twente gets the chance to finish it off'', said Jack de Gier.
Comments8
That quote about PSV turning it into an "erehaag" is hilarious, because PSV fans know we do not do that. Also if Twente are banking on Perisic not being allowed to run, that's wishful thinking.
The whole "erehaag" talk is funny but also kind of annoying. If PSV play too polite, Perisic and our transitions get less space and Twente will start to believe in finishing it off.
Jack de Gier saying "PSV rustig aan doet? Nou, het is ook hun laatste thuiswedstrijd" is spot on. This isn't a moment to manage the pace for them, it's a moment for PSV to show what we do best. Also, targeting Perisic is basically admitting he decides big games.
Jack de Gier saying "don't take it easy" is spot on. It's the last home game for PSV, so the intensity should be there, not just some respect-first performance.
I get the worry about Perisic, but I still think PSV can control the game. We scored 96 times already and the article says the target is 100, so this feels like a perfect moment to push that.
That quote about "the heaviest away trip you can draw" feels true. Twente still have Champions League on the line, so they will not roll over, even if they're away at us.
I like that Van den Brom-Twente crowd is thinking about the last game like a Champions League test, but I hate the idea of PSV "leggen in de watten" to them. If we are already dreaming about 100 goals this season, go for the margin and make Twente feel it.
Honestly the "maak Perisic niet boos" talk is exactly why I'm a bit nervous. If Twente don't respect those wide spaces, Perisic can turn it into a highlight reel fast. Still, PSV at home or not, I want us to attack and not play scared for a draw.