Marciano Vink dissects the tactical lapses and poor coordination that cost Peter Bosz’s side their unbeaten streak, focusing on high-risk positioning and fatal errors against clinical counter-attacks.
PSV’s first defeat of the season has prompted fresh questions about their defensive structure, with ESPN analyst Marciano Vink highlighting the space Peter Bosz’s side allowed FC Twente to exploit in their 3-2 loss in Enschede.
PSV led 2-1 with around 15 minutes remaining after two goals from Guus Til, but Twente fought back through Wout Weghorst and a late winner from Daouda Weidmann. The result ended PSV’s unbeaten start to the competitive campaign.
For Vink, the main concern was not simply the goals conceded but the positioning of PSV’s defensive line when the team pushed forward.
“We talked about it before the match as well,” Vink said on ESPN, as quoted by PSV Inside. “The centre of PSV is very focused on pressing forward, but you also need to know that you can’t allow someone like Weghorst to run into depth.”
Vink Questions Weghorst Equaliser
The ESPN analyst felt PSV could have dealt with Weghorst’s equaliser more effectively.
“If you cover that high, you either have to keep an eye on Mauro moving into the line or keep an eye on Geertruida keeping track of Weghorst,” Vink explained.
“It’s a simple ball over the top and Geertruida simply loses track of it.”
Vink’s assertion was that PSV’s aggressive defensive approach requires clear coordination between the centre-backs and the players stepping forward to press. Against a striker capable of attacking space behind the defensive line, any lapse can quickly become costly.
Late Winner Exposes Another Weakness
Vink also raised concerns about the positioning for Twente’s winning goal.
The decisive strike followed a PSV free-kick that was cleared, leaving space for Twente to launch a counter-attack.
“If you go 2-2, as a top club you have to go for the winner, but you always have to keep an eye on the back line,” Vink said.
“After a missed chance by PSV, everything is wide open. Weidmann, of course, does this very well in itself, but PSV is simply not positioned properly.”
The defeat therefore offered Bosz another reminder of the balance required by PSV’s high-risk attacking approach. While their willingness to push forward remains central to their style, Vink’s analysis focused on the need for the defensive line to remain protected when possession is lost.
PSV’s failure to do so allowed Twente to turn a 1-2 deficit into a 3-2 victory and hand the reigning champions their first competitive defeat of the season.
