PSV qualified for the group stage of the Europa League on Thursday evening at the expense of Rosenborg BK and the contribution of Mohamed Ihattaren in that important game was again limited to a place on the bench. The young playmaker is in a difficult period and has not yet succeeded in convincing trainer Roger Schmidt of his absolute added value. Captain Denzel Dumfries has to admit that Ihattaren is not showing his best game at the moment.

“I spend a lot of time with him. It is not a pleasant situation that he is on the bench, but it is also a nice challenge for him to fight back in the team ”, Dumfries said during a press moment on Friday afternoon. “I have every confidence in it Mo. He is a fantastic football player, but he has to deliver that too. I have every confidence that it will come out again and that it can be of value. I try to support him as much as possible and to be critical of certain things that are not going well. ”

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Dumfries hopes that PSV fans will soon get to see the best of Ihattaren again: “He can play football very well. When I see what he can do, he doesn’t bring enough now and he knows it himself. He is still a young boy and this situation is a good challenge for him. A situation that is new to him. On the couch, different challenges, a different trainer… It is a great challenge for a boy of this age to deal with that. I would like to help him in that process. ”

In addition to Ihattaren, the draw for the group stage of the Europa League was also discussed. The people from Eindhoven were linked to PAOK Salonika, Granada and Omonia Nicosia on Friday afternoon: “There are good opportunities for us and also a great challenge”, Dumfries said. “PAOK is a top Greek club, while Granada is a stable LaLiga club. There are plenty of opportunities for us, so it is a great group. ” Dumfries has to admit that he doesn’t really have a good idea of ​​the opponents yet. The objective is nevertheless clear: “We are PSV and want to spend the winter at all costs. I think we also have a very good chance. ”