Bosz encouraged by PSV response after half-time against Excelsior

Peter Bosz took encouragement from PSV’s second-half display after his side recorded their first victory of the season against Excelsior. The head coach was less impressed by a subdued opening period, however, saying PSV lacked energy even though their positioning limited the opposition’s opportunities.

PSV still conceded before changing the tone of the game after the interval. Bosz highlighted the impact of substitutes Kodai Sano and Amir Bouhamdi, whose introductions helped his team gain control, combine more fluently and create chances. He felt that attacking output had been missing in earlier matches against Villarreal, AZ and Fortuna Sittard.

“This was the PSV I know and want to see,” Bosz told De Telegraaf of the second-half performance. He nevertheless stopped short of declaring that his team had turned a corner, arguing that the next step must be to convert more of their chances. Bosz said a PSV side in stronger form would have won such a match by a margin of four or five goals.

The coach reserved particular praise for 18-year-old Bouhamdi. After looking nervous when required to come on at half-time the previous week, the youngster impressed Bosz with his running, defensive work and contribution in possession against Excelsior. His backheel sent Sano through against the goalkeeper, while Bouhamdi also reached a scoring position himself. Bosz said the cameo demonstrated exactly how a young substitute should approach an opportunity.