Ivan Perišić is emphatic and demands more: “What statements!”
1 min readPSV hopes to finish Thursday evening's first match of the new UEFA Champions League season on a winning note against Shakhtar Donetsk. At 18:45, Peter Bosz's team kicks off against the side from Ukraine, which, due to the war between that country and Russia, is playing their European home matches this season in London.
Last season PSV got off to a false start in the European campaign with a painful 1-3 defeat against Belgian side Union Saint-Gilliose. That loss would later be seen as the final blow to the fact that Bosz’s team failed to qualify for the intermediate round.
This season has to be better, Ivan Perišić also thinks. ''We have now become champions three times and this season it is time to take a step in the Champions League'', says the Croat firmly during the press conference, quoted by Omroep Brabant.
The versatile forward also draws a comparison with this season’s draw and last season’s. ''Last season’s was really very tough. Despite that, we still had our chances, and it just didn’t quite work out. Now we have to go all in. Starting with the first important match, at home against Shakhtar. Because we can’t afford to start the way we did last season (3-1 defeat against Union Sint-Gillis, red.). Every detail in the Champions League can be crucial. So the focus is entirely on getting off to a good start, winning, and taking the three points,'' continues Perišić, as quoted by Voetbal International.
Besides looking ahead to Thursday evening’s match, Perišić also wants to say something about the moment involving Ruben van Bommel last Saturday during Ajax - PSV (1-3). ''First of all, I think Ruben is a really good guy. They both wanted to go for the ball, but he was too late,'' the forward says.
After the match at the Johan Cruijff Arena, the experienced Perišić decided to sit down with Van Bommel. ''We talked a lot. For me, it was a normal duel. Ruben was a bit late and felt very bad about it afterward. What I especially like is that we protect each other and show that we are a team. It’s not just about playing good football, but sometimes you also have to be there for your teammate when things aren’t going so well,'' the Croat is quoted by Sportnieuws.nl.
Even so, Perišić focuses mainly on Thursday evening. ''We have to do everything we can to win a match. We missed that last year in the Champions League. I hope we keep this momentum in our minds for the next Champions League matches as well. It's not just about playing good football, but also about fighting and pulling matches over the line,'' the forward said.
It became clear Wednesday afternoon at the press conference at the Philips Stadium. The Croatian PSV player spoke plainly and expressed himself like a true captain. While other players did not so much point to the edges, it was Perišić who said he was very happy with the team spirit during Ajax - PSV and right after the end of Ajax - PSV.
It did Van Bommel a lot of good that everyone took care to look after him. Also, Perišić was right to say that PSV has to demand more from itself in the Champions League after already dominating the Eredivisie three times. In short, what a personality and what firm and sharp remarks from the only real captain of Peter Bosz's squad.
Comments10
idk bruh, i get the message, but Champions League is not forgiving. PSV must control the moments early, otherwise that 3-1 vs Union memory is gonna haunt them again. 🤬
Die quote over Ruben van Bommel vond ik wel mooi, hij zegt eigenlijk gewoon: duels winnen is ok, maar op tijd komen. Wel benieuwd of Bosz dit soort mentale scherpte ook in het team giet voor Shakhtar. Want Perisic zegt het zelf, je moet vechten en de wedstrijd over de streep trekken.
Brengt meteen rust dat Perisic het zo volwassen zegt. Maar ngl, Champions League startjes zijn vaak het verschil tussen 'plan A' en 'overleven'. Geef me 45 minuten druk, snel balverlies bestraffen, en dan pas denken aan control.
Also the Van Bommel part was class, "we protect each other and show we are a team." I actually think that mindset is what separates PSV when games get tense in Europe. W for team culture.
"We mogen niet starten zoals vorig seizoen" goed, nu uitvoeren. Shakhtar in London, weird circumstances, but we need 3 points anyway.💯
tbh i love the mentality talk, but i still want to see the lineup risk-free. Can Bosz handle Shakhtar away-pressure with the right balance? 👀
Perisic saying "elk detail kan cruciaal zijn" feels like a direct response to that Union SG 1-3. If we start sloppy again, it kills the whole tie before it even begins.
"We kunnen het ons niet veroorloven om zo te starten als vorig seizoen" tbh dat is precies waarom die nederlaag nog steeds schuurt. Tegen Shakhtar moet PSV meteen tempo en duels winnen. Als we weer langzaam beginnen, dan wordt het lastig om de klappen later op te vangen.
That quote about not starting like last season is exactly what i wanted to hear. If PSV dont take the first 15-20 minutes seriously, Shakhtar will punish them. 🔥
3x kampioen en nu moeten we echt stappen maken in de CL, maar begin anders zoals vorig jaar. Perisic is spot on: dat detail tegen Union Saint-Gilloise (1-3) ging ons echt geld kosten. Vandaag gewoon focus op winnen, geen domme start.