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'PSV v AZ had not been a delightful game, the players had battled hard throughout and PSV had deserved more than a point', summarised PSV caretaker coach Jan Wouters his side's 1-1 draw with AZ at the post-match press conference at the Philips Stadium. AZ coach Louis van Gaal felt his team could have grabbed the win.
Jan Wouters agreed that PSV had enjoyed the better of a goalless opening thirty minutes. 'We created some fine chances and Danko rattled the bar. I am content with our first-half display. AZ caught us by surprise on the break. After the interval we lost control, but once we had leveled things, we could have scored the winning goal. It may not have been a delightful match, yet the players battled hard throughout and I think we had deserved more than a point. It was great to see the players contesting for every inch of ground in their third huge game in the space of eight days.'
'I think we should have taken all three points here', started Louis van Gaal his analysis of the game. 'AZ put in a commanding first-half display, crowned with a superb goal. We created two more chances, but so did PSV and Lazovic brought out a fine save from Waterman. We controlled proceedings and showed concentration before the break, with Ari and Dembélé making an impact. I had expected we would continue the second half in the same vein, but we lost a lot of possession, so PSV got back into the game. They earned two great chances and Lazovic, who was their best player this afternoon, even got a golden opportunity to score the winning goal. It's too bad we put in a below-par second-half performance. We could have grabbed the win.'
Neither team came through unscathed. Danny Koevermans and Carlos Salcido had to be taken off after they had sustained a foot and ankle injury respectively, while AZ striker Ari hobbled off the pitch with a knee problem. They will go to hospital on Monday for examination.
