PSV head coach Peter Bosz admitted his side lost control at crucial moments during Sunday’s 3-2 defeat to FC Twente, with Ricardo Pepi’s early injury forcing the visitors to adjust their pressing and coverage.

PSV appeared to have taken command of the game after recovering from Younes Taha’s opener, with Guus Til scoring twice to put the champions 2-1 ahead. 

In the 79th minute, Twente worked through PSV with a series of quick combinations before Weghorst escaped the defence and calmly finished one-on-one with Kovář.

Four minutes later, the comeback was complete.

After PSV failed to fully clear a corner, Daouda Weidmann collected the ball deep inside his own half and embarked on a remarkable solo run. He carried the ball through several challenges before finishing past Kovář to make it 3-2.

For Bosz, the key moment came earlier in the match, when Pepi was forced off after just eight minutes.

“We sometimes lost the ball too quickly and, as a result, lost control,” Bosz said. “Ricardo Pepi went out very early, and then we struggled to apply pressure and cover properly when we had possession.”

The PSV coach felt his team eventually recovered after that difficult spell. Til’s two goals restored control, while Paul Wanner had a good opportunity shortly after the interval to extend PSV’s lead.

“I had no choice but to substitute him in the second half, and that was during a stretch when things weren’t going well,” Bosz said.

While Bosz did not blame PSV’s defensive work for the opening goal, he was highly critical of the way his team defended the other two.

“I’m sick and tired of the goals we conceded, but I’m not referring to the first one,” he said. “On the second goal, however, we didn’t play well ourselves, and on the third, certainly not at all.”

The third goal was particularly frustrating because it came immediately after a PSV corner. Bosz explained that the structure was in place, but the execution was poor.

“That one came from one of our corner kicks, with three players on the edge of the box. The setup was there, but the execution wasn’t,” he said.

The PSV boss also highlighted a broader problem in his side’s defensive performance.

“Apart from that, we didn’t defend well today. We also let the ball bounce too often.”

Mauro Júnior offered a similar assessment, pointing to a significant change in PSV’s performance after the interval.

“We started off very well and were in control, but then conceded a goal,” the PSV captain said. “In the first half, we were able to turn things around thanks to some great goals by Guus [Til].”

However, PSV struggled to reproduce that level after the break.

“In the first half, we played good football, but that was largely missing in the second half,” Mauro added. “We struggled with our build-up play and in one-on-one situations.”

The Brazilian acknowledged that PSV had opportunities to regain the lead but failed to take them.

“We had chances to pull ahead, but we didn’t capitalize on them, and that’s when it becomes a tough game.”

The defeat leaves PSV third in the Eredivisie standings, with FC Twente moving level on points and AZ returning to the top.

Bosz believes the title race could develop into a much tighter contest than in previous seasons.

“There could be a big gap among those teams this year,” he said. “I don’t know if FC Twente and AZ are used to staying in a title race for a long time, but if you look at the standings now, you can already see that divide.”

Mauro also expects a closely contested campaign.

“I think so. If you look at the opponent’s games and the points in the standings, we’re neck and neck. It’s going to be exciting.”

For PSV, the immediate task is to use the international break to regroup before a demanding schedule resumes.

“It’s a given, and that’s what we want with PSV,” Bosz said. “That’s the kind of schedule you end up with. As a team, you have to deal with it, but we’ve been doing that very well for years.”

Mauro, meanwhile, will have a personal milestone to look forward to after receiving his first Brazil call-up.

“Tomorrow I’m flying to Brazil. I’m going to do my best and hope I get some playing time,” he said.