When, last January, talented youngster Riechedly Bazoer swapped PSV’s academy for Ajax’s, looking for “more guarantees for the development of my career”, it was clear that something had to change for the Eindhoven side. The appointment of Phillip Cocu as coach was the first step. It had been the same story at Ajax, who four years ago chose Frank de Boer, a man, like Cocu, with limited coaching experience, but for whom the club is like a second home.
PSV Eindhoven have conceded just twice en route to winning all five of their competitive games so far this season, with the Eredivisie runners-up now hosting AC Milan at the Philips Stadion. With the Serie A season not kicking off until next weekend, Milan are yet to play a single competitive game, perhaps handing the Dutch side an early match fitness advantage.
The PSV revolution began in the transfer market and went onto the pitch. Four regulars were sold (Kevin Strootman, Dries Mertens, Jeremaine Lens and Erik Pieters) and four veterans were released (Orlando Engelaar, Wilfried Bouma, Atouba Hutchinson and the retired Mark van Bommel). Cocu switched his predecessor’s 4-2-3-1 system into a 4-3-3 and showed no fear in playing, against NEC, one of the youngest starting elevens (20.42 years on average) in Eredivisie history. For the game against Milan however, Cocu can also count on the experience of Dutch international Stijn Schaars and former Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-Sung, although the pair are still working hard to bring their fitness up to speed.
Philips Stadion, Eindhoven
Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey)
Match Date\Time: Tuesday, 8:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET
Projected PSV Eindhoven XI: Zoet; Arias, Rekik, Bruma, Willems; Maher, Hiljemark, Wijnaldum; Jozefzoon, Locadia, Depay
Projected AC Milan XI: Abbiati; Abate, Zapata, Mexes, Constant; Montolivo, de Jong, Nocerino; Boateng, Balotelli, El Shaarawy
