Roger Schmidt attaches more value to winning the TOTO KNVB Cup than to reaching the quarter-finals or semi-finals in the Conference League, the PSV coach indicated in the run-up to the cup match with Fortuna Sittard. Schmidt states that the people of Eindhoven ‘should go for the prizes’. “A prize is permanent. The Johan Cruijff Scale that we have won this season stands forever and ever,” said the German coach.
Schmidt does not have to think twice if he is asked whether he would rather win the TOTO KNVB Cup this season with PSV or whether he will go far in Europe. Due to the elimination in the Europa League, the people of Eindhoven have been sentenced to the Conference League, where it is linked to Maccabi Haifa. “We have to go for the prizes,” the trainer says decisively in conversation with the Eindhovens Dagblad. “A prize is permanent. The Johan Cruijff Scale that we won this season, stands forever and ever. It’s not the biggest price though, I understand that very well. But every player and coach wants to win as many as possible.”
The last time PSV won the cup was in 2012, when Heracles Almelo was defeated 3-0 in the final. Schmidt takes the cup tournament very seriously and does not intend to change his entire team. “New. Last year I once exchanged a considerable number of players against Sparta Rotterdam, but as a trainer I always check whether a certain skeleton of the team remains,” he says. “Normally I want that in every game. There has to be structure in the team and that also makes it easier for the players who come into the team.”
However, some changes are not ruled out against Fortuna Sittard. “What we’ve done in the last few weeks was to make some changes here and there. That was good for us and now a lot of players are in good shape. Phillipp Max, for example, is physically well again. We can make some changes without it having a negative impact. Armindo Bruma, Cody Gakpo, Ritsu Doan and also Yorbe Vertessen are all doing well at the moment.” The cup meeting with Fortuna Sittard on Wednesday evening in the Philips Stadium starts at 9 p.m.