Former PSV manager Aad de Mos has made his expectations clear ahead of a decisive few days for Peter Bosz's side, insisting that PSV must win both their upcoming fixtures against Club Brugge and SC Cambuur.

The Eindhoven club host Club Brugge in the Champions League on Wednesday before travelling to face newly promoted Cambuur in the Eredivisie on Sunday. De Mos believes both matches carry significant importance, particularly with difficult European assignments against Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid still to come.

Speaking in the Elfrink & De Mos column for Eindhovens Dagblad, alongside PSV reporter Rik Elfrink, the former coach assessed PSV's recent 7-0 victory over Willem II before turning his attention to the challenges ahead.

Despite eventually recording a convincing victory, PSV were not entirely convincing during the opening stages against Willem II.

Bosz's team went into half-time with a 2-0 advantage before adding five more goals after the break. De Mos acknowledged that the visitors had initially made life difficult for the hosts.

“Willem II started out quite well in the first twenty minutes. Their positional play was quite solid; they defended more fiercely. But after that first goal by Mauro Júnior, of course, it was over,” he said.

The result provided PSV with an important boost, but De Mos believes the real tests are now approaching.

With PSV facing Real Madrid away on matchday five and Atletico Madrid on matchday six in the Champions League, De Mos considers Wednesday's encounter with Club Brugge particularly important.

He believes dropping points against the Belgian side would leave PSV with a difficult task if they want to remain in contention beyond the league phase.

“Both matches are must-win,” De Mos stated.

“If you want to be in the running after the winter break in the Champions League, you will have to win against Club Brugge. Otherwise you fall far behind. Then it becomes a very difficult job with an away match against Real Madrid. Normally, that is also a game you don't win.”

De Mos also warned against overlooking Cambuur. Despite their status as a newly promoted side, he views Sunday's away fixture as a potential stumbling block.

“That is a potential banana peel,” he explained.

He also pointed to other important Eredivisie fixtures taking place over the weekend, including Heerenveen against Feyenoord and Twente against Ajax, which could influence the title race.

“So both Club Brugge at home and Cambuur away are must-wins for me,” De Mos concluded.

While De Mos believes PSV should be favourites at home, he has considerable respect for Club Brugge's attacking quality.

He highlighted their ability to score goals, particularly on the counter-attack, and singled out several players who could cause problems for Bosz's defence.

Carlos Forbs was one of them. The former Ajax winger has impressed since moving to Belgian football, particularly during Club Brugge's memorable Champions League victory over Inter Milan.

“That Forbs I had already written off at Ajax. I thought that was a bit of a blind spot, but apparently he’s managed to find his way in Belgian football. He’s done fantastically against Inter,” De Mos admitted.

He also praised captain Hans Vanaken, describing the midfielder as a typical Club Brugge player who has developed considerably at both club and international level.

Nicolò Tresoldi was another player to receive special mention.

“And that top scorer, Tresoldi, is a real powerhouse,” De Mos said, as quoted by PSV Inside.

Despite acknowledging the danger posed by Brugge's attacking players, De Mos believes PSV have enough quality to secure victory on home soil.

“I don't think Club is the favourite. I do think PSV is the favourite in that home match and it will be a close game. But you have to win, I think.”

For Bosz, the message is clear: PSV cannot afford to take their foot off the accelerator, with two important fixtures offering an opportunity to strengthen their position in both domestic and European competition.