Ruud van Nistelrooij hopes that he will again have Ibrahim Sangaré, Jarrad Branthwaite, Philipp Max and Mauro Júnior available during the top match against Ajax. The foursome was missing on Thursday evening in the Europa League match with Bodö/Glimt (1-2 win). PSV finished second in Group A, because group winner Arsenal simultaneously won against FC Zurich (1-0).
Sangaré, Max, Branthwaite and Mauro did not travel with them to Norway, but Van Nistelrooij seems to be able to call on them again for the Eredivisie match with Ajax. “It looks good towards Sunday”, the PSV trainer told ESPN. “We always have to wait and see if that continues. I hope to have them back in the selection at training on Saturday.”
The trainer is left with many positive things from the minimal victory over Bodö/Glimt. “We have not suffered any injuries, I have been able to give players who have played a lot of rest and there are youngsters who have played minutes. There wasn’t much at stake, of course,” said Van Nistelrooij. PSV was already assured of wintering in the Europa League, but due to Arsenal’s minimal victory over FC Zurich, they have to play an intermediate round against a number three from the group stage of the Champions League. “We were already placed, so it wasn’t a matter of life and death here.”
“We played professionally, I am very satisfied with that”, continued de Van Nistelrooij. “We had good control over our opponent. That became less as the game went on, because we became restless with the ball, but when I see how the boys have done, I can only be satisfied.”