Aad de Mos has praised Sven Mijnans and Kodai Sano after PSV’s 4-1 victory over Sparta Rotterdam, but has warned that Peter Bosz’s defence remains vulnerable and must improve.

PSV Eindhoven finished a demanding week positively on Sunday, coming back from an early deficit to beat Sparta Rotterdam 4-1 and return to the top of the Eredivisie.

The victory followed Thursday’s 1-1 draw with Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League, but former PSV coach Aad de Mos believes there is still an important weakness for Peter Bosz to address.

Speaking alongside Eindhovens Dagblad PSV watcher Rik Elfrink, De Mos noted that PSV have conceded too many goals too easily in recent matches.

That problem surfaced again against Sparta when goalkeeper Matej Kovar made a costly error, allowing Milan Zonneveld to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

The former coach also focused on PSV’s organisation at restarts and how players are matched up defensively.

“In any case, always make sure to match length with length in such a situation. I saw that the striker of Sparta (Milan Zonneveld, ed.) was being defended by the smallest defender of PSV (Mauro, ed.). That could be better.”

It was another example, in De Mos’ view, of PSV making life unnecessarily difficult for themselves.

Elfrink felt the eventual 4-1 scoreline was somewhat flattering, pointing out that Sparta had opportunities after the break to make it 2-2.

De Mos acknowledged the danger but also highlighted the psychological impact of PSV’s changes.

Around the hour mark, Bosz introduced Ricardo Pepi, Ivan Perišić and Ruben van Bommel, bringing significant attacking quality off the bench.

De Mos believes the changes altered the psychological balance of the match.

“You could also see that psychology plays a big role in that match. Also among opponents on the pitch, but also on the bench after those three went in.”

He continued:

“You could see too that they started walking backward again out of fear because it’s naturally intimidating. You take out three substitute players, in quotation marks, and you throw 58 million in there.”

The substitutions helped PSV regain control and eventually turn a potentially uncomfortable afternoon into a convincing victory.

While the former coach identified concerns at the back, he was particularly impressed by one of PSV’s summer arrivals.

Sven Mijnans scored three times against Sparta, producing his biggest performance since joining from AZ.

“I was happy for Mijnans. A calm guy with special qualities. He scores three in there for a moment.”

De Mos pointed out that Mijnans had already shown signs of his attacking threat in PSV’s previous league match against Utrecht.

“Against Utrecht he could already have made two, so in any case he proves himself.”

The hat-trick also strengthens the competition for places in Bosz’s midfield and attack, particularly for Guus Til.

“The money he’s already bringing in now with four goals is of great value and gives Til an additional competitor. Plus, of course, that Sano picks up a goal again.”

De Mos also praised Mijnans for his character and development, tracing his path from amateur football to PSV.

“A perfectly normal guy.”

Mijnans began his development at Sparta, progressed through Jong Sparta and eventually established himself in the first team before moving to AZ.

As relayed by PSV Inside, De Mos believes the midfielder is now ready to prove himself at the highest level.

“He comes from the amateurs. He joins Jong Sparta, gets into the first team, excels, and goes on to AZ. There he becomes one of the defining players again and is now going to prove that at the top as well. I'm convinced of that.”

For Bosz, the emergence of Mijnans and Sano provides further options, but De Mos’ assessment also leaves a clear message: PSV’s attacking strength is growing, while their defensive organisation still requires attention.