PSV will enter the holidays after eighteen competition matches as the leader of the Eredivisie. With a point ahead of defending champion Ajax after the 2-0 win at home against Go Ahead Eagles. Roger Schmidt spoke afterwards for the first time in a long time that he wants to become champion. In recent months, the coach often said that Ajax has a much greater chance and that it is also obliged to his position.
Now that PSV is entering the winter break as number one, Schmidt believes in it. “Ajax is a very strong and balanced team. They have the advantage that they have more financial options, but it is an open battle. We can beat Ajax. We have to get our injured players back, continue this line and become champions. We are in a good position, but there is always room to grow.”
PSV has collected 43 points after 18 matches, one more than Ajax and four more than Feyenoord. “We need to use some moments better and the efficiency could be better, but we can be happy with where we are now. The players are doing well, we have to persevere until the end.” Schmidt does not expect a torrent of transfers, but that does not mean that PSV will keep its eyes and ears open on the winter transfer market. “We will always continue to do that. There can always be an opportunity to do something, but we really need to get better at it.”
“Now we are focused on bringing back our injured players, six in total. We hope to see them again in January. There are very good players among them, with Eran (Zahavi, red), Davy (Pröpper), Noni (Madueke), Ryan (Thomas), Bruma and Ritsu (Doan).” Eindhovens Dagblad. Schmidt regretted that PSV could not celebrate the winter title with the fans in the Philips Stadium. “Luckily we were able to give them a profit. That was the most important today.”
“Now we can take a holiday as a frontrunner. It has not been an easy year for us, we have had 32 games in six months. Our internationals even more. Taking rest is important now. The season is halfway through, so we still have a while to go.” PSV will resume the competition on January 16 with an away match against FC Groningen.