Milan van Dongen’s interview with Ruud van Nistelrooij led to a light discussion on Thursday evening at ESPN. Prior to the Europa League meeting between PSV and FC Zurich, the coach refused to explain his choice in midfield, which led the reporter to question marks. “It’s only Zurich, isn’t it…?”, responded Van Dongen, who Studio Europe seemed to be corrected by Arnold Bruggink.
On paper, PSV would enter with a midfield consisting of Ibrahim Sangaré, Joey Veerman and Erick Gutiérrez, but Van Nistelrooij did not want to say much about the exact division of roles prior to the game. “I like the balance in the midfield very well and that’s why I chose this midfield today. Veerman’s role? Yes, that one is interesting! You will see how the field occupation will be with those three and of course we also have guys on the flanks who can come to midfield. I’ll keep it a bit in the middle, Milan. You will see.” Van Dongen: “It’s just Zurich, isn’t it?” Van Nistelrooij seemed to find the question somewhat inappropriate. “Well, I respect that. I don’t see a win as a given.”
“A mysterious interview: he holds the cards to his chest”, concluded presenter Jan Joost van Gangelen in the studio, while Marciano Vink also found the words striking: “He could also have said very clearly how it is.” Perez also did not understand why Van Nistelrooij does not want to explain exactly what the plans are for the duel with Zurich. “So he thinks Zurich hears this five minutes before time and thinks: oh fuck, now our plan is screwed up! We thought Til would play on the right, but now he is suddenly in the striker. We can’t really play anymore” said Perez in a sarcastic tone.
Bruggink did not fully agree with the statements of his colleagues from ESPN and argued for more respect towards the opponent. “I think it’s a ‘pitfall’ when Milan says it’s ‘only Zurich’. That is really the biggest ‘pitfall’ for all Dutch people. I’m sorry, but I find that so incredibly Dutch and derogatory. Arsenal just won 1-2 against Zurich, didn’t they! I understand that PSV won 1-5, but I just think you have to be respectful to your opponents”, concluded the analyst.