Armed with new signings and fresh tactical insights, Peter Bosz analyses a revamped Amsterdam side while navigating early-season issues to maintain PSV’s dominant momentum in the Eredivisie.
Peter Bosz has admitted there are still plenty of unknowns surrounding both PSV and Ajax ahead of Saturday’s meeting in Amsterdam, but the PSV head coach remains satisfied with the way his squad has been strengthened during the summer transfer window.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Bosz discussed the availability of his new arrivals, the changes at Ajax and the reasoning behind PSV’s decision to build greater squad depth.
New Signings Not Yet Available
PSV will travel to Amsterdam with largely the same group that featured in the 6-1 victory over FC Utrecht. Bosz confirmed that some of the club’s latest arrivals will need more time before making their debuts.
“We have the same squad as against FC Utrecht. We’ll have to see how the new guys are doing, whether we’ll include them or not. Mikkel Sam and Sami won’t be available yet, in any case.”
Despite the increased competition within the squad, Bosz believes the depth will prove necessary during what promises to be a demanding campaign.
“The most important thing is that you can offer everyone a chance to play. We’re going to play fifty games anyway. We often have only two days between matches. Not every player will have recovered by then. So we have to rotate the lineup. Of course, players also get injured. That’s why we need that depth.”
Bosz Satisfied With PSV’s Transfer Window
PSV added several players during the window, and Bosz believes the club succeeded in giving him the quality required to compete on multiple fronts.
“We came out of it just fine. We have a good roster. We have more players; that’s true. Some haven’t taken the field yet, others have only just started, but so far I see pure quality. That’s what you’re looking for. I can’t help but be satisfied with how the transfer window turned out.”
The coach also acknowledged that the new arrivals will take time to assess properly, particularly with Saturday’s opponents having made significant changes of their own.
Different Ajax awaits PSV
Bosz expects a different Ajax from the side PSV faced last season, with the Amsterdam club adopting a more attacking approach.
“They’ve also signed some last-minute players. So it remains to be seen who will play. Last year’s lineup is gone, so we’ll have to base our assessment on the few games they’ve played so far. It’s clear that this is a different Ajax than last year. They’re playing more offensively. We’re prepared for a number of scenarios.”
Comparing the two squads at this stage of the season is difficult, Bosz added.
“That’s hard to say, because not everyone will be on the field yet. At this stage of the season, it’s harder to gauge how they’ll play, but we’re analyzing them thoroughly as always, and we know where the opportunities lie.”
Bro Hansen Has a Clear Development Plan
One of PSV’s late additions, 17-year-old Mikkel Bro Hansen, was not registered for the UEFA Champions League. Bosz stressed that this was not a reflection of the Danish forward’s ability.
“No, but that’s not due to a lack of talent. He’s an exceptionally talented player. He trains with us at the Champions League level. If necessary, he can play in matches for PSV U21. So we have a solid plan in place for him.”
While Bosz wants PSV to win every competition, he also recognises that stronger competition at the top of the Eredivisie can benefit the league as a whole.
“Well, I just want to win everything. But you also benefit from competition at the top. It certainly doesn’t hurt you.”
For now, however, the focus is firmly on Amsterdam, with Bosz preparing PSV for an Ajax side that has undergone significant changes since last season.
