PSV Eindhoven may be developing a new attacking partnership as Sven Mijnans and Guus Til become increasingly familiar with each other’s movements under Peter Bosz.

Mijnans, PSV’s first signing of the summer, has featured more regularly in recent weeks, partly because of injuries to Ricardo Pepi, Sam Lammers and Alassane Pléa. With all three forwards unavailable, Bosz has deployed Mijnans as the most advanced player, with Til operating just behind him. 

The arrangement has given the two midfielders an opportunity to build an understanding in attack, and Mijnans believes their combination is beginning to take shape.

Speaking to Ziggo Sport after PSV’s 1-0 Champions League defeat to RB Leipzig, the midfielder explained how the pair have been working to improve their positioning and movement.

“We talk about needing to play closer together, or occasionally swapping positions to confuse the central defenders. I think our partnership is steadily improving, and it’s going to work out well,” Mijnans said.

Til previously formed an effective partnership with Ismael Saibari, who has since moved to Bayern Munich. Last season, Bosz was forced to use Til as a striker, a tactical adjustment that helped bring the best out of Saibari and contributed to the pair’s success.

Although Mijnans offers a different profile from Saibari, PSV will hope he and Til can establish a similarly productive connection as the team navigates its current injury problems.

Their developing understanding could be particularly important while Bosz remains without three recognised forwards. With fewer natural striking options available, the manager has had to adapt his attacking setup, creating opportunities for Mijnans to take on a more advanced role.

The midfielder’s recent involvement suggests he is becoming an increasingly important option, although the partnership is still developing.

Despite the encouraging signs in his combination with Til, Mijnans was left frustrated by a significant missed opportunity against Leipzig.

Shortly after half-time, the PSV midfielder had a golden chance to put his side ahead but sent his effort well wide. PSV eventually suffered a 1-0 defeat, with Brajan Gruda scoring the decisive goal in the 75th minute.

Mijnans accepted responsibility for failing to take advantage of the opportunity, admitting that he tried to force his finish rather than concentrate on keeping the shot on target.

“I knew what he was going to do, and I could see a lot of players in front of the goal. I tried to force the ball into the corner with too much power and eagerness. I just need to make sure I keep it on target,” he admitted, as quoted by PSV Inside.

The missed chance added to PSV’s frustration after a match in which they struggled to turn promising moments into a result.

For Mijnans, the immediate challenge is to convert those opportunities while continuing to develop his connection with Til. With Pepi, Lammers and Pléa sidelined, their partnership could become increasingly important to PSV’s attacking plans in the coming weeks.

Mijnans remains optimistic about what the pair can achieve, and his confidence suggests PSV may have the foundations of another useful attacking combination as Bosz searches for solutions to his depleted forward line.