A spirited comeback by the hosts at De Grolsch Veste exposed defensive cracks in Peter Bosz’s aggressive system, proving that even the Eredivisie's benchmark remains vulnerable to disciplined, high-pressure counterattacks.
PSV suffered a bitter 3-2 defeat at FC Twente on Sunday, but the result did little to alter the perception around Peter Bosz’s side. Even in defeat, PSV remain widely regarded as the strongest team in the Netherlands.
A fiercely committed Twente side produced a memorable comeback at De Grolsch Veste, taking advantage of defensive openings to claim all three points. PSV had twice been ahead through Guus Til but ultimately conceded twice in the closing stages as Twente turned the match on its head.
The defeat exposed some of the risks that come with Bosz’s aggressive football. PSV play aggressively, push players forward and aim to control matches through possession and pressure. On this occasion, however, their defensive structure was not strong enough when Twente found opportunities to attack.
Matej Kovář was again under scrutiny, although the Czech goalkeeper avoided any major individual error. PSV’s defensive problems were more collective, with too much space available as Twente pushed for an equaliser and then the winner.
For Bosz, however, one defeat does not alter the overall picture.
![Ricardo Pepi was forced off after only eight minutes with what appeared to be a muscle injury [IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters]](https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/d779ae99-fa80-40c2-9561-a21cedefef6d.jpeg)
Ricardo Pepi was forced off after only eight minutes with what appeared to be a muscle injury [IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters]Twente Knew The Scale Of The Challenge
The respect for PSV was evident before kick-off. As relayed by PSV Inside, Daan Rots had already identified Bosz’s team as the benchmark in the Eredivisie when speaking at Twente’s training ground in Hengelo.
“Yes, I think so,” Rots said when asked whether PSV were currently the best team in the league. “According to me, they’re also right at the top in all the statistics.”
Rots also pointed to PSV’s victory over Ajax in Amsterdam as evidence of their quality.
“Last time they played against Ajax, Ajax did get some chances, but in the Johan Cruijff Arena they won too, and deservedly so. They do have the best squad in the Eredivisie.”
The winger specifically highlighted PSV’s recruitment, including the arrival of Kodai Sano from NEC.
“They’ve again brought in good players who have proved themselves in the Eredivisie, such as Kodai Sano.”
Twente had clearly prepared specifically for the challenge. Asked whether PSV had been sufficiently analysed, Rots made it clear that his team had spent considerable time studying Bosz’s methods.
“Yes, we talk with them about the way PSV wants to build play and press. We of course have something to say about that!”
A Result That Underlines The Competitiveness Of The Eredivisie
Twente believed they could make the match competitive if they remained disciplined without the ball.
“We all saw that too, and I think that if we are better organized defensively than Sparta, then it can be a closely matched game,” Rots said before the match.
“And if we then take our chances, we can look forward to a great Sunday afternoon. We just need to pull out all the stops for this, because PSV has been doing well for years and they are simply the best team in the Netherlands.”
Twente ultimately followed that plan closely enough to secure a major victory.
For PSV, the 3-2 defeat is a reminder of the fine margins created by Bosz’s attacking approach. It was a painful result, but not one that fundamentally changes the status of a side that remains one of the Eredivisie’s principal title contenders.
