Football Season Guide

PSV started off the past campaign with an unexpected defeat on penalties to Feyenoord in the Dutch Super Cup, while they then dominated the Eredivisie, looking capable of repeating the previous year’s wonders. By February injuries hit them in all areas and wins suddenly stopped, though. In the following month-and-a-half, they fell off the top of the domestic league, having seen a conspicuous lead over Ajax wear out, and were eventually eliminated from both the KNVB Beker and the Champions League, suffering a memorable 1-7 home humiliation at the hands of Arsenal. PSV eventually won the last 7 league games clinching the title in a very dramatic season ending. PSV acted early on in the summer transfer campaign, letting go no less than 11 players – 5 starters -, while signing only 6. Firstly, they renewed the goalkeeping department, letting go Benitez and his deputy Drommel. Olij, after 3 bright seasons at Sparta Rotterdam, is set to become the new n.1 provided he performs better than during the preseason, with on-loan Kovar on the bench. The right-back position was a troubled one last season, with Serginho always sidelined and Karsdorp disappointing. Ledezma, naturally a midfielder, did fairly enough as an alternative but, with Serginho back and promising Sildillia arriving from Freiburg, he left for Mexico. At centre-back, Boscagli was let go after a mixed campaign and 20-year-old Gasiorowski was brought in as an alternative to Nagalo and Obispo. The midfield lost outstanding Tillman for good cash, but the club is still on the hunt for a valid replacement. However, it is in the attack that changed the most, losing wingers Lang, who wanted out, and Bakayoko while their top scorer, aging striker De Jong, was shown the door. Van Bommel arrived from AZ, where he displayed some wonders, while another winger is still needed. Pléa arrives from Borussia and should represent the alternative to recovered Pepi, who proved very prolific when fit, up-front.