Roger Schmidt has announced PSV’s line-up for the away match against FC Utrecht. The German makes some changes and places Joey Veerman and Noni Madueke, among others, on the reserve bench. Utrecht hopes to hurt a club from the top three again. The team of trainer René Hake is an absolute giant killer and already managed to beat Ajax and Feyenoord this season. PSV must win to stay in the footsteps of leader Ajax. The duel in Stadium Galgenwaard will start at 2.30 pm.
Schmidt can again use Oliver Boscagli in Utrecht. The Frenchman was absent from the Conference League game against FC Copenhagen (4-4) on Thursday due to a cold, but returned to the training field on Saturday. He starts on the bench, putting Armando Obispo at the heart of the defense with Jordan Teze. Veerman is sacrificed. The midfielder made an extremely unfortunate impression against Copenhagen and, like Madueke against Utrecht, has to settle for a place on the reserve bench. Philipp Mwene and André Ramalho are still not available.
“It is very normal that the outside world is enthusiastic when a new player does well in a number of matches. I would have preferred that he had continued that line against FC Copenhagen, but it is very normal that it does not always work out Schmidt said about Veerman. “Players are suddenly associated with the national team or almost get the Golden Ball. That is part of our world. Joey can deal with that very well and is grounded. He will certainly be fine. “
Eran Zahavi starts in the tip of the attack. The striker was important against Copenhagen, when he equalized five minutes before the end. Ritsu Doan has also been given a starting spot. It is also striking that Maximiliano Romero is back in the selection. PSV benefits from defensive security. The team of the year-old Schmidt was unable to keep a clean sheet in the last six games and even faced four against Copenhagen.
FC Utrecht line-up: nnb
PSV line-up: drum; Mauro, Teze, Obispo, Max; Sangare, Gutierrez; Doan, Gotze, Gakpo; Zahavic