ESPN analyst Marciano Vink has criticised Filip Kostic for his defensive role in Feyenoord’s equaliser against PSV, arguing that the Serbian winger allowed Anis Hadj Moussa too much freedom during Sunday’s 1-1 draw at the Philips Stadion.

PSV took a deserved first-half lead through Guus Til but failed to capitalise on their dominance before the interval. Feyenoord responded after the break, with Hadj Moussa finding the net to earn the visitors a point and leave PSV four points behind the Eredivisie leaders.

Speaking on ESPN’s Dit was het Weekend, former PSV player Vink focused on Kostic’s defensive positioning, questioning the way he dealt with Feyenoord’s dangerous winger during the equalising move.

Vink felt Kostic’s performance changed considerably after half-time and suggested PSV would have made life more difficult for Feyenoord had the Serbian maintained his first-half intensity.

“Kostic will probably not be able to deliver the same thing twice for 45 minutes,” Vink said.

“I’m sure that if Kostic had done the same in the second half, then Feyenoord would have found it much more difficult. And then I’m talking about just driving over it, making it as difficult as possible for Read, and bringing the others along into that pressing.”

The analyst’s comments centred on Kostic’s ability to put Givairo Read under pressure and help PSV sustain their pressing game. Vink believed that approach could have disrupted Feyenoord’s attempts to build attacks and reduced the influence of their wide players.

Instead, PSV struggled to maintain the same level of control after the restart, allowing Feyenoord to grow into the contest.

Vink was particularly unhappy with Kostic’s contribution to Hadj Moussa’s goal, criticising the defender’s decision to retreat rather than confront the Feyenoord winger higher up the pitch.

“At 1-1, what Kostic does, I really hate that. Again that running back. You’d rather keep him higher up the pitch and take the duel there. You’ve also got Mauro on the inside,” he said, as quoted by PSV Inside.

Vink argued that Kostic should have engaged Hadj Moussa earlier instead of allowing the attacker to advance towards the penalty area. He also pointed to Mauro Júnior’s position inside, suggesting PSV had defensive cover available that could have helped them deal with the threat.

The criticism reflected Vink’s belief that Kostic’s positioning made it easier for Feyenoord’s most dangerous attacking player to enter a decisive area.

Vink ended his assessment with a pointed remark about Kostic’s role in the goal, stressing the difficulty of stopping Hadj Moussa once he was allowed to carry the ball towards the box.

“Hadj Moussa has to get through two to score. Kostic lets the most dangerous Feyenoord player escort him into the sixteen-yard box. Kostic needs an assist as well, because he makes this possible,” Vink said sarcastically.

Hadj Moussa’s equaliser proved costly for PSV, who had controlled much of the first half but could not establish a sufficient cushion before the break.

The result leaves Bosz’s side four points behind Feyenoord in the Eredivisie standings. For Vink, the equalising goal was not simply a consequence of Feyenoord’s attacking quality, but also an example of PSV failing to defend aggressively enough at a crucial moment.