Sven Mijnans’ stunning hat-trick against Sparta Rotterdam forces Peter Bosz into a tactical rethink, potentially relegating Ricardo Pepi to the bench in favor of a dynamic strike partnership.
Sven Mijnans’ hat-trick against Sparta Rotterdam has given Peter Bosz another attacking option, with Marciano Vink suggesting Ricardo Pepi could ultimately lose his place in the PSV starting XI.
Peter Bosz has been handed a selection problem he will be more than happy to have.
PSV recovered from an early setback against Sparta Rotterdam on Sunday, eventually winning 4-1 to move back to the top of the Eredivisie on goal difference. Sven Mijnans was the central figure, scoring a hat-trick after being handed a starting role in an altered attacking setup.
Kodai Sano scored PSV’s other goal, but it was Mijnans who dominated the discussion afterwards.
On ESPN programme Dit was het Weekend, former PSV player and analyst Marciano Vink singled out the midfielder’s third goal, which completed the scoring in Eindhoven.
“He has such a good instinct for it. The call was actually already good and then he sweeps it in beautifully with the inside of his left foot into the intersection. This is Mijnans at its very best.”
The goal was the clearest illustration yet of Mijnans’ attacking qualities since his summer move from AZ. His path into Bosz’s starting XI, however, has not been straightforward.
Mijnans Had to Earn His Opportunity
Mijnans arrived at PSV having been an important attacking figure for AZ, where he enjoyed a prominent role in the team’s build-up and attacking play.
At PSV, the competition for places is considerably stronger. Vink believes that has forced the newcomer to adapt and fight for his position rather than expecting an automatic starting role.
“You come from AZ, where practically all attacks ran through you. Then you end up at a club where perhaps better players can move into that position. Then you have to start earning your spot.”
That process has largely meant substitute appearances for Mijnans during his first weeks in Eindhoven.
Against Sparta, however, Bosz changed his attacking configuration. Mijnans started as the central striker, with Guus Til operating behind him, and the decision produced an emphatic response.
The hat-trick could now change the conversation around Bosz’s preferred attacking combination.
Could Pepi Be the Victim?
Vink believes the emergence of Mijnans creates a particularly interesting situation for Ricardo Pepi.
The American striker has been competing for the centre-forward position, but Mijnans’ performance gives Bosz another way of structuring his attack. The possibility of pairing Mijnans with Til could therefore have consequences for Pepi’s role.
As relayed by PSV Inside, Vink expects the PSV manager to face a difficult conversation if the new combination continues to deliver.
“I think Bosz now has a fairly decent problem on top of it and is thinking: ‘How am I going to tell Pepi that I'm going to play with Mijnans and Til?’”
It remains to be seen whether Sunday’s formation becomes a regular feature or was simply a response to the circumstances surrounding the Sparta match. Bosz has repeatedly emphasised the importance of squad depth, and Mijnans’ performance has only strengthened that competition.
For Pepi, the challenge is equally clear. The striker will have to respond when his opportunities arrive, while Bosz must decide whether Mijnans’ hat-trick was a one-off success or evidence of an attacking formula worth developing further.
With PSV back at the top of the Eredivisie, the competition for places in Bosz’s attack has suddenly become one of the most intriguing selection battles at the club.
