ESPN analyst emphatic about PSV’s role in the battle for 3rd place
1 min readNext Sunday, PSV has the final league match of the 2025/2026 season on the schedule. Peter Bosz’s team will play at home in the Philips Stadium against FC Twente and can play a crucial role in the race for third place, which grants a spot in the Champions League qualifying rounds.
At this moment, FC Twente is in third place with a two-point lead over number 4 NEC and a three-point lead over number 5 Ajax. NEC plays at home on Sunday against Go Ahead Eagles and Ajax visits sc Heerenveen.
A victory by the Tukkers at the Philips Stadium means that John van den Brom’s team will play in the Champions League preliminary round next season. With any other result by the Enschede side, the results of NEC and Ajax must be taken into account.
Former PSV striker and current ESPN analyst Danny Koevermans believes that a large part of the PSV fans would have no problem granting the Tukkers a draw—or even a win—so that Ajax will not have to play in the Champions League qualifying round. ''The players will absolutely not do it, but I can't shake the impression that there are enough people sitting on the East side who don't mind if Twente leaves with a 1-1 or something like that. To then make sure that Ajax is obstructed in that way'', the former striker says in the ESPN program Voetbalpraat.
With a draw at PSV - FC Twente, Ajax will certainly not finish third, but NEC can still, in any case, advance from that third spot. ''Then they’ll know in Eindhoven that Ajax won’t finish third; that’s how it will be approached. They’ll probably have a fair bit of fun with it, but the players absolutely won’t, because they want to end the season on a good note,'' continues De Koef.
After the defeat of Ajax at home against FC Utrecht (1-2) last Sunday, the Amsterdam side are heading for play-offs for the preliminary round of the Conference League, but Oscar Garcia’s team can still finish third. ''Ajax is completely dependent on Go Ahead, Twente and PSV'', said Koevermans.
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Tbh the quote about
Im looking at this and thinking, ok PSV will attack, but can they defend transitions if Ajax hit first? If the CBs step up too high again, it could get ugly 💀
Lol who decides the press triggers? it looks random sometimes. Still, that last chance was pure PSV spirit, just need it more often. 🤡⚽
Eens. Give me that intensity from minute 1 and we are a problem for anyone. 👏🚀
🔥🔥🔥
Need Gakpo on the ball more, he was dropping way too deep at times. That left the box kinda empty... and then we wonder why chances get thin 😂
That quote about being brave with the ball is nice... but bravery without cover is just asking for trouble. I hope the next setup balances it better, or we will get punished again. 💀
Eens. I feel we finally have a real identity going forward. The way they keep it moving from the half-space is actually dangerous, not just hopeful.
"PSV Inside" fans will love the intensity, but tbh the finishing has to be sharper. De Jong... wait, if its really Guardiol in that role, then the decision-making needs to be quicker too. 🔥
Gut feeling: the midfield balance is the real make-or-break. If Xavi Simons isnt allowed to drift freely, you lose the vertical threat and it becomes too predictable. imo we need one runner off the back line every time.
Im not convinced the midfield control was real. When the ball went wide, PSV looked a step late and the build-up felt rushed. Hopefully they fix it before a tougher opponent exposes the gaps.
"The gameplan is all about aggression" - yeah but aggression without control is chaotic. If Veerman is not getting free between the lines, we will just run into the same press every time.
Bruno Martins Indi has been solid in these setups, but i think the fullback positioning is still too reactive. If the article is right about pressing triggers, PSV should force play wide earlier, not wait.
Honestly, the article makes it sound like our build-up is the answer every time. I think we still get exposed on the wide transitions, especially if the fullbacks get too high. That is when opponents smell blood.
"PSV Inside" is spot on about the tempo. Til this season i felt we slowed down too much after winning the ball, now it looks quicker, cleaner, more dangerous. 🔥⚽
If PSV are actually going with that high press again, i hope they keep it disciplined. Last time they pinned the wrong man and it opened space for the counter, like clockwork. 👀
If PSV are pressing like that, it will be a problem for teams that want to play out from the back. Xavi Simons' positioning better be spot on though, because one bad half-space drop and you get punished fast.
Bro if PSV are really trying to build from the back again, i swear we need a proper midfield shield. Otherwise itll be the same old turnovers and running after the ball...
If we want control in midfield, i dont see how PSV doesnt start more aggressive pressing next match. The way we play out from the back looks calm, but it gives teams time to turn.