Ratings
- A1 – Very good, could play higher
- A2 – Strong potential to play higher
- B1 – Good, strong player at level
- B2 – Potential to be strong player at level
- C – Average for the level, rewatch
- D – Below average, don’t follow up
PSV played in a 4-3-3 formation with an attacking midfielder. Both wingers tucked inside often and Ihattaren (the attacking midfielder) drifted wide often to dive into the gap that was created. PSV played patiently, but lacked creativity and sharpness on the day to create a lot of clear cut chances. Both full-backs made some positional errors which led to both goals for Willem II.
Willem II played in the same formation and tried to attack directly through the wings. With Mats Köhlert and Ché Nunnely, Willem II have two quick wingers that like to make runs down the wing and especially Nunnely, is able to make optimal use of the space in behind using his great speed and acceleration. The match ended in 2-1, with Nunnely scoring both goals for Willem II.
Mohamed Ihattaren
Player profile:
- Nationality: Dutch
- Age: 18
- Date of birth: 12/02/2002
- Current Club: PSV
- Career: PSV (Y) & PSV
- Position: attacking midfielder
- Secondary position: right-winger & central midfielder
- Preferred foot: left
Mohamed Ihattaren played as an attacking midfielder, but often drifted wide to support the wings and provide an extra option down the flanks, especially as Cody Gakpo and Ritsu Doan liked to move centrally without the ball. On the ball, Ihattaren did very well to find his teammates between the lines and to play out of pressure in the tight spaces. However, his through passes were very sloppy against Willem II and he can do a lot better than that.
Rating: A2
Mohamed Ihattaren had an average match and can play a lot better.
Denzel Dumfries
Player profile:
- Nationality: Dutch
- Age: 24
- Date of birth: 18/02/1996
- Current Club: PSV
- Career: Sparta (Y), Sparta, Heerenveen & PSV
- Position: right-back
- Preferred foot: right
Denzel Dumfries played as a right-back and made some positional errors in the game. At the 1-0, he did not position himself well and an over the top through pass was played, before Mats Köhlert received the ball and could play a pinpoint cross to Ché Nunnely, who scored from close range. In the 1-on-1 duels, Dumfries was very aggressive, but he often got dribbled past by Köhlert.
He got a yellow card after he was tricked again and showed that he was really frustrated. In possession, Dumfries stayed calm when he was under pressure and often managed to pick out the right pass. However, in the final third he was too wild at times, playing a very hard cross in the hope that someone would get on the end of it.
Rating: B1
In the Eredivisie, he is a strong player and one of the best right-backs. However, I don’t think he is able to play at Champions League level.
Cody Gakpo
Player profile:
- Nationality: Dutch
- Age: 20
- Date of birth: 7/5/1999
- Current Club: PSV
- Career: PSV (Y)
- Position: left-winger
- Secondary position: right-winger
- Preferred foot: right
Cody Gakpo played as a left winger, but often moved centrally to overload the central zones and to combine with his teammates in the tight spaces. This is something he did well, until he needed to give the final pass where he lacked awareness when he was put under pressure. He has a good shot from distance and nearly scored in the first half.
The Dutch winger managed to draw fouls smartly and has a good physique, not allowing his opponent to push him off the ball easily. A few times, he checked his shoulders well before receiving and this led to him turning his opponent and being able to create a chance. When he is dribbling, he seems to be looking at the ball only and he does only see options nearby.
The 20-year-old was sloppy in possession, but managed to create some chances when he got the time to do something with the ball. He showed glimpses of his talent, but he certainly needs to improve in some areas, before he can make the step to a bigger competition. Cody Gakpo still is very raw and he has proved to be a good impact sub in other matches.
Rating: A2
He had an okay match and it will be interesting to rewatch him next season, to see how much he has improved.
Pablo Rosario
Player profile:
- Nationality: Dutch
- Age: 23
- Date of birth: 7/1/1997
- Current Club: PSV
- Career: Feyenoord (Y), Ajax (Y), Almere City (Y), Almere City, PSV (Y), PSV
- Position: defensive midfielder
- Secondary position: central midfielder
- Preferred foot: right
Pablo Rosario played as a central midfielder and often switched positions with Erick Gutierrez. He sometimes played in a more deeper role, either playing between the two central defenders or playing as a left central defender, to support the build-up. Rosario showed that he has good passing ability when he is not being put under pressure.
However, this changes when the Dutch midfielder is being put under pressure. It seems like he loses his calmness and he does not scan enough, in order to spot the passing options. Rosario has good physical abilities, but you would expect more intensity from a captain. He often let his man run and walked back to the defensive third.
Rating: B1
He has been decent in the Eredivisie, but just like Denzel Dumfries, I don’t think he’s at the Champions League level that PSV aspires to have.
Ritsu Doan
Player profile:
- Nationality: Japanese
- Age: 21
- Date of birth: 16/06/1998
- Current Club: PSV
- Career: Gamba Osaka (Y), Gamba Osaka, FC Groningen (L), FC Groningen, PSV
- Position: right winger
- Secondary position: attacking midfielder
- Preferred foot: left
Ritsu Doan played as a right winger, but he could mostly be found in a central position, allowing Denzel Dumfries to make overlapping runs on the right. The Japanese winger has good technique and ball control, but failed to impress against Willem II. He was not involved in the play as much as he should and he did not use his ability and creativity enough to create chances. He showed that he can be hard-working though, as he sprinted back 50 meters to help the defence after a corner occasionally.
Rating: B2
It was a disappointing performance of Ritsu Doan.
Michal Sadilek
Player profile:
- Nationality: Czech
- Age: 20
- Date of birth: 31/05/1999
- Current Club: PSV
- Career: 1. FC Slovacko (Y), PSV (Y/L), PSV
- Position: left-back
- Secondary position: defensive midfielder & central midfielder
- Preferred foot: left
Michal Sadilek played as a left-back, a position where he only played in the 2019/20 season. This was just one of his first matches as a left-back, and that could be seen. Even though he made some good overlapping and underlapping runs, Sadilek failed to impress. He used his intensity and aggressiveness well to put early pressure on his opponent.
However, this often led to being out of position which Ché Nunnely and Willem II exploited perfectly. His direct opponent, Nunnely, managed to score two goals and this was partly because of Sadilek not being in position to stop Nunnely. Michal Sadilek showed quality on the ball as he was comfortable in possession.
Rating: C
Michal Sadilek should not play as a left-back and he should just play as a defensive midfielder or central midfielder. However, I’m not too sure if he could become a strong player for PSV in these positions.