Frustrated by a stalemate against Shakhtar, the winger reflects on PSV’s missed opportunities and addresses the fallout from his recent Ajax controversy with a pointed message for critics.
Who was your man of the match ?
Ruben van Bommel admitted PSV were made to work hard by Shakhtar Donetsk as Peter Bosz’s side opened their Champions League campaign with a 1-1 draw.
PSV were held to a 1-1 draw by Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday evening, leaving Ruben van Bommel and his teammates frustrated after failing to turn their second-half pressure into a winning goal.
The Ukrainian champions caused PSV problems, particularly before half-time, with their quality in possession making it difficult for the hosts to establish the same rhythm they had shown in their impressive victory over Ajax.
“They were really good at football. We had a hard time with that, especially in the first half,” Van Bommel said after the match.
“In the end, we left the field feeling like we could have picked up three points. That’s frustrating, but the reality is that we still have seven matches left.”
![Obispo rolled the ball into the penalty area for Dest, who calmly scored the equaliser [REUTERS]](https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/72514679-71c1-4baa-9004-ce4f44da1a1e.jpeg)
Obispo rolled the ball into the penalty area for Dest, who calmly scored the equaliser [REUTERS]PSV Struggled to Find Their Rhythm
Van Bommel acknowledged that PSV were unable to reproduce the intensity and flow of their performance against Ajax.
“We weren’t quite ourselves in terms of our play. Against Ajax, the pace was higher, so you’re more in the game. Now, play often came to a standstill. We didn’t really have any clear-cut chances.”
The winger remained a threat throughout the contest, but admitted his attacking contribution did not translate into the end product he wanted.
“I try to be threatening, but today I just didn’t quite get close enough to the goal. Being threatening is fun, but I’m not getting results right now.”
Despite the disappointment, the 1-1 draw leaves PSV with seven Champions League league-phase matches still to play.
Van Bommel Has Put Ajax Incident Behind Him
Van Bommel was also asked about the controversial incident from PSV’s 3-1 victory over Ajax, when his challenge on Aaron Bouwman sparked widespread debate.
The PSV attacker said he has moved on from the incident while continuing to express concern for the Ajax defender.
“I was able to put it behind me. It was my fault, and I’m bummed about that. I’m glad Aaron [Bouwman] is doing relatively well.”
The incident attracted significant attention following the match in Amsterdam, but Van Bommel made clear that his focus has now returned to football.
‘People Should Think More Carefully’
The 22-year-old was then questioned about the volume of criticism and discussion surrounding footballers, particularly when performances and incidents become the subject of intense public debate.
Van Bommel accepted that players will always face opinions from outside the dressing room but questioned whether all of those opinions are constructive.
“It’s normal for some people to be given a platform to express their opinions, but whether those opinions are always helpful is another matter,” he said.
“I think people should sometimes think a little more carefully before making statements about players.”
For PSV, the immediate task is now to build on the point against Shakhtar. Van Bommel’s comments reflected the frustration inside the camp but also the understanding that the Champions League campaign is only beginning.
With seven league-phase matches remaining, PSV still have plenty of opportunity to improve their position and produce the performances they believe they are capable of delivering on the European stage.
