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Home > News > Hiddink: "We battled to the end" (PSV.nl)

Hiddink: "We battled to the end" (PSV.nl)

20 Oct 2005 - Source: PSV.nl

This newsitem has been supplied by PSV.nl

PSV head coach Guus Hiddink was delighted with the tactically well-disciplined performance of his team and with the goalless draw against AC Milan. "We have learnt quickly how to play a European game." "We all know the international set-up", announced Hiddink at the post-match press conference in San Siro "It is great to see a team that has lost so may regular during the summer transfer window perform so well. True, we were not able to put any pressure on Milan, but I am happy with the fair result. At first we found it hard to keep possession, when Milan were passing long balls, but in the end we held on. They piled up the pressure in the final eight minutes, but my players battled to the end."Gomes and AissatiGuus Hiddink lavished praises on goalkeeper Gomes, but also on substitute Ismail Aissati who made his debut on the European stage. "Milan created chances, but Gomes was really outstanding tonight. He proves to be a reliable stopper in games like these in particular. Aissati did well as a substitute, broke the pace of their attacks and even threatened at times."Hiddink had predicted in his preview that he wanted his players to play a 'perfect game'. "Statistics learn that Milan often strike home at the death or during added time. Therefore I should compliment my side; they have given their all." Ooijer breaks little fingerAC Milan head coach Carlo Ancelotti, thought that PSV 'were exclusively focused on defence'. "We found it hard to create spaces. Eventually we succeeded in doing so, but although we totally controlled the game, we could not kill them", felt Ancelotti, visibly disappointed. "I feel we deserved to win but luck was not on our side and their goalkeeper was great. We are disappointed but if we keep on playing like we did tonight, we will surely earn three points in Eindhoven. We wasted a host of chances; we should have been sharper."Ancelotti paid tribute to Alex, who, assisted by André Ooijer, forced the Milan forwards back to the edges of the area. Ooijer broke his little finger during the second period, but he was quite commonsensical after the game."I use my feet to play football and not my hands. I refused to be taken off and I think I can make an appearance on Sunday afternoon against Ajax all the same. But it really hurts and I am in pain right now", explained the unfortunate defender.