Fred Rutten is very critical of PSV after the match against FC Utrecht (2-2). The assistant coach, who did the honors for the sick Ruud van Nistelrooij, saw his team give away a built-up lead in no time. “At the level at which we work, this is ‘not done’,” says Rutten at the press conference.
“Totally unnecessary,” said Rutten before that ESPN. Luuk de Jong tapped in a rebound in the 57th minute after a deflected shot by Johan Bakayoko, giving PSV three points. Three minutes later, however, Sander van de Streek scored the equalizer, much to Rutten’s frustration. “You take the lead, then it’s about survival. If you see that they get a chance immediately after kick-off… Well, those kinds of moments will have to be removed.”
Rutten does not immediately have an explanation. “It should not happen, but it will happen. Human? That should not be human. It is about a bit of survival instinct that you need if you want to become great. That is a bit of maturity that you have to have in the team.” Still, PSV could have won the match just like that. In the final phase, Guus Til hit the post and Ismael Saibari ruined a life-size shooting opportunity from close range.
“Of course we have the winning goal on the shoe and we have those opportunities, but then he doesn’t go in and that is a disappointment. At a club like PSV you always have to win.” PSV is stuck in fourth place in the Eredivisie and is six points behind Feyenoord. Rutten will certainly not give up the fight for the title. “My faith is fine, if I don’t believe in it anymore, you better get on the bus right away.”