Midfielder Sven Mijnans silenced critics with a perfect hat-trick against Sparta Rotterdam, proving his versatility and repaying Peter Bosz’s tactical faith in a dominant 4-1 victory.
Sven Mijnans made the most of his opportunity to start for PSV against Sparta Rotterdam, and ESPN analyst Danny Koevermans believes the midfielder’s perfect hat-trick made him the clear player of the week.
PSV Eindhoven recovered from an early setback to beat Sparta Rotterdam 4-1 last weekend, with Mijnans playing the leading role in Peter Bosz’s response.
The summer signing was handed a starting place and, on paper, operated as the central striker instead of Ricardo Pepi, with Guus Til positioned behind him. Bosz also made changes around him, starting Amir Bouhamdi on the left instead of Ruben van Bommel and Esmir Bajraktarevic on the right in place of Ivan Perišić.
The reshaped attack eventually delivered, although it was Mijnans who dominated the headlines.
Sparta took an early lead, but PSV turned the game around through a combination of individual quality and attacking movement. Bajraktarevic played a key role, providing the assist for the equaliser before setting up Kodai Sano for PSV’s second goal.
Mijnans, however, went on to complete a hat-trick and was subsequently named PSV’s Star of the Match.
Koevermans Impressed By Mijnans’ Response
For Koevermans, the performance was a direct response to the opportunity Bosz handed him. As relayed by PSV Inside, the former PSV striker noted that Mijnans has had to be patient for opportunities since arriving at Eindhoven.
“He still needs to be patient for a little while and often has to make do with a place on the bench. He was allowed to start in the starting lineup again now and he paid for it immediately.”
Mijnans’ three goals also offered a neat demonstration of his versatility in front of goal. He scored once with his left foot, once with his right and completed the hat-trick with a header.
That combination was enough for Koevermans to give him his personal player-of-the-week award.
“He made a perfect hat-trick: one with his left foot, one with his right and one with his head.”
Koevermans added that the performance was worthy of an individual prize, saying Mijnans had effectively taken the match ball home with him.
“Took the ball home with him and, in my opinion, that makes him player of the week.”
The performance came at an important stage in Mijnans’ adaptation to PSV. After a difficult start at the club, he played a different role against Sparta and scored three goals.
Bosz’s decision to rotate his attacking line therefore produced a significant return, while Mijnans showed that he can contribute from an advanced position despite being primarily regarded as a midfielder.
With PSV continuing to compete at the top of the Eredivisie, Mijnans’ display provides another option for Bosz as he manages the competition for places across his forward line.
