Roger Schmidt has announced PSV’s line-up for the home match against Vitesse. The German coach has to miss a laundry list of players due to injuries and corona, but said during the press conference on Friday that other players now have the chance to show themselves. The duel in the Philips Stadium, which also means a reunion between ‘teacher’ Schmidt and ‘pupil’ Thomas Letsch, starts at 4.30 pm and is led by Bas Nijhuis.
The biggest blow to Schmidt in recent days was the long absence of Eran Zahavi. The striker came back injured from the World Cup qualifiers with Israel and will certainly not be available for the next three months, Schmidt said on Friday. “In any case, he will not return this calendar year. He is in consultation with the doctors whether rest or surgery is best. Once that decision has been made, we will know more about his recovery period.” The absence of Philip Max will also be felt in Eindhoven. The defender tested positive for the corona virus this week and is therefore not part of the match selection.
Besides Zahavi, PSV also has to do without Jordan Teze, Cody Gakpo, Noni Madueke, Ryan Thomas and Richard Ledezma. The good news for PSV is the return of Davy Pröpper. Like Yorbe Vertessen, Armando Obispo and Ritsu Doan, among others, he is part of the selection again, but starts on the bench. Marco van Ginkel also starts from the bench. “They can stand up and gain status on our team,” said Schmidt. “I have also seen that with Érick Gutiérrez and Mauro Júnior in the last matches. We still have a good team, with the necessary opportunities up front. Against Fortuna Sittard and FC Twente, other players have already shown that they are ready to take on the team. help out.”
PSV can take over the lead from Ajax with a win over Vitesse. Schmidt’s team is currently level with the team from Amsterdam, but has a worse goal difference (+35 versus +11). Ajax will visit RKC Waalwijk on Sunday afternoon. “We want to make a good start after the international matches and meet a good opponent with Vitesse, which we respect,” said Schmidt during the press conference. “We are ready to fight them, even if it is a great shame that we have to do without fans.”
PSV line-up: drum; Mwene, Ramalho, Boscagli, Mauro Junior; Sangare, Gutierrez; Gotze, Doan, Bruma; Vinicius
Setup Vitesse: Schubert; Dasa, Dukhi, Bazoer, Rasmussen, Wittek; Tronstad, Bero, Frederiksen; Buitink, Openda