Peter Bosz has confirmed which PSV players will be available for Wednesday evening’s Champions League meeting with Club Brugge, while also coming to the defence of Noah Fernandez following the teenager’s recent comments about his playing time.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, the PSV manager discussed the challenge posed by the Belgian side, provided updates on several injured players and addressed the reaction to Fernandez’s interview with ESPN.

Bosz began by expressing his condolences following the death of Jesús de Miguel, the 30-year-old Tenerife player who lost his life after a serious challenge by the FC Andorra goalkeeper.

“It’s shocking, because something like this almost never happens. He was thirty years old and leaves behind a father, a mother, and a family. It’s immensely sad,” Bosz said.

“Like everyone in the football world, I am deeply shaken by this.”

A minute’s silence will be observed before Wednesday’s match in memory of De Miguel.

Once the focus turned to the game, Bosz made clear that PSV face a demanding test against a Club Brugge side currently ranked 14th in the UEFA rankings, compared with PSV’s 23rd position.

The Dutch coach praised their attacking approach, the quality of their squad and their recent European performances.

“We’re going to try to win against a strong and interesting opponent. They play an attacking style and have quite a few young players. It will be a real challenge for us,” he explained, as relayed by Rik Elfrink of Eindhovens Dagblad.

Bosz also highlighted Club Brugge’s centre-forward, who he believes has a natural instinct for scoring, and the influence of Hans Vanaken in midfield.

“They have a centre-forward who scores with ease, they play with a back four, and in Hans Vanaken, they have a true playmaker who links the play.

“Brugge has an excellent team. Their win against Inter was well-deserved, and they certainly didn't have to lose against Aston Villa.”

Bosz also provided an update on PSV’s injury situation ahead of the European fixture.

Paul Wanner has returned to training on the pitch, but the manager does not expect him to be available until after the international break.

“I expect him back after the international break,” Bosz said.

That leaves his involvement in PSV’s first match after the break, against NEC at the end of November, uncertain. Sam Lammers will also miss Wednesday’s encounter.

There is better news regarding Ricardo Pepi, however, with Bosz confirming that the striker is ready to start if required. The manager stopped short of revealing whether Pepi would be included in the starting XI.

“We need to be able to play twice a week, and it’s up to us to prepare our players for that,” he said. “Proper recovery is incredibly important in that regard.”

One of the more notable moments of the press conference came when Bosz was asked about Noah Fernandez.

The 18-year-old spoke to ESPN following Jong PSV’s 2-0 defeat to NAC on Monday, expressing his desire for more first-team opportunities and explaining his position at the club.

Bosz made it clear that he had no problem with Fernandez speaking openly. However, he suggested that the edited version of the interview presented a misleading impression of what the young midfielder had actually said.

“In the end, Noah articulated everything very well and at length, but his comments were edited. That makes it seem like something else entirely,” Bosz explained.

“For some, it’s all about clicks and bytes. That’s the danger with things like this.”

The PSV manager also pointed out that Fernandez has already accumulated more playing time than any of the club’s other young players.

At 18, Bosz believes he is still learning what it takes to establish himself as a professional footballer. He stressed that the teenager must make the most of every opportunity, regardless of how much time he receives on the pitch.

“If he gets ten minutes, he needs to shine for those ten. If he gets two, then for those two. If it’s ninety, then for ninety,” Bosz said.

“He needs to keep making progress to secure a permanent spot in the starting lineup, both this season and next.”

Bosz also discussed Kodai Sano, who has been ahead of Fernandez in the pecking order for recent starting places.

The PSV manager acknowledged that the Japanese midfielder still has work to do as he adapts to his new surroundings, but was particularly impressed by his confidence and willingness to integrate into the team.

“From day one with us, he has displayed an un-Japanese level of self-confidence,” Bosz said, drawing on his own experience of playing in Japan for two years.

He added that Sano had adapted surprisingly quickly, despite this being his first season at the club.

Bosz also highlighted the challenge players face when moving from a mid-to-high-ranking team to a club competing at the highest level.

“They usually need to adapt in terms of the speed at which they process the game. He has handled that brilliantly.”

Finally, the manager reflected on PSV’s organisation and the structure behind the club, having previously worked at Ajax and Feyenoord.

Bosz praised the direct working relationships he has with sporting director Earnest Stewart and chief executive Marcel Brands, while also acknowledging his occasional contact with the chairman of the Supervisory Board.

“Having also worked at Ajax and Feyenoord, I can confidently say that the structure within PSV is very well organised,” he said.

“Things here are very straightforward and direct. I occasionally speak with the chairman of the Supervisory Board, but I primarily work with Earnest and Marcel. That system works very well.”

With Pepi available and Wanner continuing his recovery, Bosz has several options to consider as PSV prepare for a significant European test. His immediate challenge is to find the right balance against a Club Brugge side he clearly respects, while keeping his squad fresh for another demanding week of football.

Probable squad: Kovar, Olij, Smolenaars, Flamingo, Obispo, Gasiorowski, Geertruida, Dest, Mauro, Kostic, Sildillia, Sano, Mijnans, Til, Cornecion, Fernandez, Santos, Perisic, Bajraktarevic, Man, Pepi, Van Bommel and Bro Hansen.

Unavailable: Ouaissa, Lammers, Wanner, Schouten, Nagalo and Pléa.