Despite dominant domestic victories, experts warn Peter Bosz’s side lacks the tactical control and awareness required to survive elite pressure against upcoming European opponents.
PSV Eindhoven head into their Champions League opener against Shakhtar Donetsk on the back of emphatic wins over FC Utrecht and Ajax.
However, Khalid Boulahrouz believes Peter Bosz’s side still have work to do before they are ready for the biggest stage in Europe.
PSV have made a strong start domestically, but their recent success has not fully convinced former Netherlands defender and current Ziggo Sport analyst Khalid Boulahrouz that Peter Bosz’s side are ready for the demands of the Champions League.
After a sluggish opening against FC Utrecht last Sunday, PSV turned the game around following Ruben van Bommel’s equaliser and eventually ran out 6-1 winners at De Galgenwaard.
They then produced another impressive result in Amsterdam, beating Ajax 3-1 in De Topper, with Ricardo Pepi, Lutsharel Geertruida and Esmir Bajraktarević all on the scoresheet.
The defending Eredivisie champions now turn their attention to Europe. PSV will open their 2026/27 Champions League campaign against Shakhtar Donetsk at the Philips Stadion next Thursday, September 10, with kick-off scheduled for 18:45.
Despite the confidence generated by their recent results, Boulahrouz believes the Eindhoven side have yet to rediscover the level they reached two years ago.
“I don't think so. The last twenty minutes they came free, but before that certain automatism was still lacking. Everyone is still looking for and finding their way,” tells the former footballer, as quoted by PSV Inside.
The analyst also highlighted Ricardo Pepi, questioning whether the American striker is currently providing enough as a focal point for PSV’s attacking play.
“Pepi is not showing up as an important playmaking target. So no, they have not yet reached the level they identified two years ago”, said Boulahrouz.
Gullit Calls For Greater Control
Former PSV captain Ruud Gullit also believes that PSV’s impressive goal return is not the only measure of their readiness for European competition.
The Eindhoven side have scored 15 goals in four league matches, but Gullit argues that controlling matches is a more important indicator of their readiness when facing elite opposition.
“What I miss is that big clubs play in such a way that when they accelerate even slightly, they score two goals. Then they take control of the match and let the ball go. Then they lure the opponent”, says Gullit.
The European champion of 1988 was equally dismissive of using PSV’s scoring statistics as evidence of their progress.
“That doesn’t interest me. It’s about controlling the match. I’m missing that level of control in a lot of teams. That is the most difficult part”, continues the European champion of 1988.
For Gullit, the challenge is therefore not simply about creating chances or scoring goals. PSV must learn to manage matches without expending unnecessary energy, particularly against opponents capable of punishing small lapses.
“To keep control without wasting energy. If you can do that, then you can do it in Europe too. I’m not bothered about the fact that Ruben van Bommel gets beaten three times. It’s about the ball being passed around. PSG can do that incredibly well, and Bayern and Barcelona can do it very well too,” Gullit said.
With Shakhtar Donetsk next on the calendar, Bosz’s team will have an immediate opportunity to answer those concerns. Their domestic form has provided momentum, but the Champions League will offer a different test of PSV’s ability to control games against high-level opposition.
