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Although PSV saw their lead at the summit of the Eredivisie considerably cut and are hit by an injury crisis, ahead of the double Champions League meeting with Liverpool, Ronald Koeman said at the post-match press conference that he will never throw in the towel.
“PSV were anxious to secure maximum points. We had our moments, but did not create a great many chances. I was content with our first-half performance, though. We did less well after the break and conceded the opening goal in dramatic fashion. We have all seen what has happened, so what more can I say? We pulled ourselves back in the game and could have been deserved winners after all. We took risks in a bid to take all three points. NAC were exhausted and could not use the space we left at the back. We lacked cleverness at the moments we threatened up front, but battled hard. Things just don’t go our way.”
“We went for it, as we felt we had nothing to lose”, claimed NAC coach Ernie Brandts after the 1-1 draw. “Our defence was well-organised. We conceded little, but did not create much, either. Slot gave us a bright start to the second period by scoring the opening goal and I think it’s a shame Farfán leveled things with a wonder strike. Diba was thwarted a few times by Gomes. In the end we gladly settled for a draw, as the game could have gone either way in the closing stages.”
The PSV medical staff will be constantly kept busy, ahead of Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League game against Liverpool. “Afellay is a major doubt”, explained Koeman. “On the stroke of half time he indicated that he had sustained a hamstring strain. Salcido suffered from slight calf cramps, which has nothing to do with his hip problems. He is set to start on Tuesday. PSV are not as fresh as a daisy and our opponents gratefully take advantage. But we will not give up, even though we have a double meeting with Liverpool in the space of one week. We have physical problems, while we are battling for silverware on two fronts. Champions League games are physically demanding. Koné is definitely ruled out of Tuesday’s game, while Zeefuik is not eligible to play. Our eleven-point lead at the summit of the Eredivisie has been considerably cut. With four games remaining, we are still on top, though, but there is no denying that we are not in great physical shape at the moment.”
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