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Koeman reviewed the memorial game (PSV.nl)

26 jul 2007 - Source: PSV.nl

This newsitem has been supplied by PSV.nl


PSV head coach Ronald Koeman told media representatives after the memorial game in Venlo that he was dissatisfied with his side's poor first-half performance, but he was happy with the second-half display. He added he would use the next few pre-season friendlies to reduce the size of the first-team squad.

Both coaches agreed that VVV-Venlo had been the better team in the first half, whereas PSV had dominated proceedings after the break. “We looked sluggish in the first period”, said Koeman at the press conference. “The main difference between the two teams was the way the midfielders stuck to their tasks. Once you control midfield, you will win matches. On top of that, we were finding it hard to connect with Lazovic up front. We were badly-positioned.”
His colleague Andr Wetzel was pleased with his team's performance. “We will take many positives from the match. We lost on penalties. Three players out of then would rather not take a penalty tonight. Fleuren was one of them. When I saw him step up to take the penalty, his body language betrayed he was going to miss”, felt Wetzel. Roorda saved Fleuren's penalty, after which Marcellis coolly converted the decisive spot kick.
Koeman refused to solely attribute the difference in quality between the first and the second half to the absence of captain Timmy Simons. Ibrahim Afellay, Ismail Aissati and Tommie van der Leegte operated in midfield, while the Belgian was rested. “Van der Leegte was injured during the training camp for some days. He as well as some other lads will all get a chance to get some match time under their belts. Players vie for the same spot. We will play three more top games prior to the start of the competition.” Koeman was referring to Saturday's pre-season friendly against MSV Duisburg in Germany and the tournament in Moscow, where PSV face AC Milan and may meet Real Madrid or Lokomotiv Moscow. Arouna Kon, who was ill, will be available for the friendly in Germany again, but Jefferson Farfn, who is fighting an ankle problem, lacks match fitness. “He may not even join the squad for the trip to Russia”, explained Koeman.