Peter Bosz has dismissed media criticism surrounding Ruben van Bommel as "laughable and ridiculous," insisting his PSV Eindhoven squad are primed for their Champions League campaign. The Dutch manager addressed the controversy at his pre-match press conference ahead of their opening fixture against Shakhtar Donetsk at the Philips Stadion, refusing to let external noise distract his players from the task ahead.
Bosz emphasized that PSV have made substantial progress compared to the same period last season. "I can firmly say that our development is far more advanced than at this stage last year," the 62-year-old stated. "We play much better football now, but we must step it up another notch for the Champions League." The Dutch champions are targeting a strong start after struggling with opening-day results, having lost their Matchday 1 fixture in each of their last five European campaigns.
Breaking New Ground in Europe
PSV's participation this season marks their 20th appearance in the Champions League's main format, a milestone that surpasses Ajax's record of 19 total appearances. This achievement underscores the club's sustained competitiveness in European football. The manager warned that the step up in intensity cannot be underestimated, particularly against opponents like Shakhtar who blend skilled Brazilian recruits with quality Ukrainian talent.
Bosz defended Van Bommel's character, noting he deliberately avoided singling out the young midfielder for special treatment to prevent amplifying the incident further. He highlighted a double standard in media coverage, pointing to previous injuries sustained by PSV players that attracted far less scrutiny. "All this media outrage is laughable and ridiculous," Bosz said. "It was just one incident in a football match. This polemic needs to end now for Ruben's peace of mind."
PSV's Recent Form Against Shakhtar
The fixture carries historical significance following their dramatic 2024 encounter, when PSV mounted a stunning comeback to win 3-2 after scoring three goals from the 86th minute onwards in Eindhoven. That thrilling display showcased the attacking prowess PSV can unleash, with the side averaging 4.4 goals across their last 10 Champions League matches. Bosz demands total concentration from his players to secure three points and avoid another disappointing opening-day result in Europe's premier club competition.
