Peter Bosz has increasingly recognised a problem facing PSV this season: his squad no longer possesses quite the same individual quality that helped them compete at the highest level in European football.

The 2-1 Champions League defeat to Club Brugge exposed several shortcomings in Eindhoven, despite PSV creating enough opportunities to take something from the match. Their 7-0 victory over Willem II four days earlier offered little indication of the difficulties they would encounter against stronger opposition.

Former PSV coach and analyst Aad de Mos has previously described such domestic encounters as “false matches”, and the contrast was evident against Club Brugge. PSV were not necessarily poor, but their attacking threat lacked the decisive edge required in Europe, while defensive organisation again proved a concern.

The defeat has inevitably raised questions about whether Bosz should reconsider his attacking approach. PSV can often impose themselves on opponents in the Eredivisie, but the same commitment to pushing forward can leave them vulnerable against European sides capable of exploiting the space behind their defence.

However, the personnel available to Bosz appeared to be a more immediate issue against Club Brugge.

Filip Kostić endured a particularly difficult evening against Carlos Forbs. The Serbian struggled to contain the winger's pace, especially in the first half, and PSV repeatedly failed to provide sufficient protection around him.

There had been reasons to consider Kostić for the starting line-up, particularly his experience and the possibility of developing an understanding with Ivan Perišić. Yet the combination did not work as intended. Perišić started on the right, while Kostić struggled with his ball control and defensive responsibilities.

The problems were not limited to one player. Sven Mijnans, for example, still has room to develop, particularly when operating in crowded attacking areas. The time and space he can find in domestic football are far harder to come by against Champions League opposition.

Bosz made a notable admission after the defeat, acknowledging that PSV have lost some of the individual quality they previously possessed.

As relayed by PSV Watcher Rik Elfrink of Eindhovens Dagblad, the manager referred specifically to Ismael Saibari, Joey Veerman and Malik Tillman, players whose different qualities gave PSV additional ways to hurt opponents.

Saibari and Tillman offered the ability to create something through their individual strength and technical quality. Veerman, meanwhile, brought a particular talent for unlocking defences and creating opportunities for teammates.

PSV now depend more heavily on collective performance than individual brilliance. Against Club Brugge, that collective was not effective enough, either in the final third or when protecting the defence after losing possession.

The lack of discipline in their defensive structure has become a recurring problem, with opponents repeatedly finding opportunities to attack the space behind PSV's forward players.

PSV registered 27 attempts against Club Brugge, a statistic that suggests they created enough opportunities to produce a better result. However, their inability to convert those chances proved costly.

The Dutch champions have shown that they possess players capable of delivering goals and assists, but their finishing has been inconsistent. Against Club Brugge, defenders repeatedly got in the way, while Yann Sommer produced an outstanding performance to keep PSV at bay.

It is difficult to explain every missed opportunity, but the defensive weaknesses are easier to identify. The space on PSV's left flank, in particular, became a significant problem and must be addressed.

Before returning to Champions League action against Real Madrid, PSV must negotiate two away fixtures in the Eredivisie against Cambuur and NEC.

Bosz's team cannot afford to carry their recent defensive problems into those matches, particularly with another demanding European test approaching.

The trip to Madrid will provide a clearer indication of whether PSV have learned from the Club Brugge defeat. Their attacking philosophy remains central to Bosz's approach, but without greater individual impact and better protection behind the ball, competing consistently at the highest European level will remain difficult.