Peter Bosz admitted PSV had nothing left in the tank as they settled for a 1-1 draw with Shakhtar Donetsk in their Champions League opener.

PSV were forced to settle for a point against Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday evening after the Ukrainian champions held Peter Bosz’s side to a 1-1 draw at the Philips Stadion.

The hosts recovered from a first-half deficit through Sergiño Dest, but PSV were unable to produce the late attacking surge that might have secured all three points.

Bosz explained that the physical demands of the match left his players with little capacity to take additional risks in search of a winner.

“Because there was nothing more left in the tank. And it’s not that simple; of course you want that, but it has to be possible,” Bosz said.

“It was a game in which we defended the visitors’ high balls well. We didn’t give anything away, but when we had possession, we couldn’t take any more risks than we already were. I’m afraid we would have put ourselves in danger then.”

With PSV struggling to create clear opportunities, Bosz removed striker Ricardo Pepi after 80 minutes in an attempt to change the dynamic of the game.

“Because we hadn’t created many chances in eighty minutes. So you want to try something different,” the PSV coach explained.

Bosz also revisited Shakhtar’s opening goal, which came after PSV believed Sergiño Dest had been fouled during the build-up. However, after seeing the replay, the manager changed his assessment.

“During the game, I thought it was a foul, but when I saw the replay, I saw something different. So we weren’t disadvantaged there.”

Despite dropping points at home, Bosz was not overly concerned about the result.

“Well, I think you have to beat Shakhtar at home, but this isn’t just any team. This is the Champions League. They’re also very good. All in all, I’m at peace with the result.”

Kodai Sano was another talking point after the midfielder's performance against Shakhtar.

Bosz acknowledged that the Japanese player looked nervous early on but improved as the game progressed.

“In the first half, he was still a bit nervous. That’s normal, of course. He had a few chances to open up the play but didn’t take them. Or he did so too hastily. But he did get into the game better as it went on.”

The PSV coach also explained how Sano differs from former midfielder Joey Veerman.

“They’re very different types of players. Joey has his passing game; Kodai is more of an anticipatory player who also wins a lot of balls.”

Bosz was also asked whether PSV should have introduced a more physical striker late in the game.

“I could have done that, but that’s not our style of play. We don’t really have those types of players on the team, either.”

For Bosz, the final assessment was straightforward.

“All in all, a fair result. They were better in the first half; we were slightly better in the second half.”

There was also positive news away from the match, with Mauro Júnior receiving a call-up to the Brazilian national team from Carlo Ancelotti.

Bosz revealed that he shared the news with the PSV squad, who reacted enthusiastically.

“That was quite a moment. I shared the news in the locker room, and the guys really jumped on it. Everyone thought it was great.”

Bosz believes Mauro’s qualities as a full-back make the call-up particularly significant.

“Being called up is amazing for a Dutch player, but for a Brazilian… Good fullbacks are rare, and he has so much more to offer. So it was a good choice.”

For PSV, the draw with Shakhtar leaves the Champions League campaign with a point from the opening fixture, while Bosz now faces the task of improving the team’s attacking output as the European schedule continues.