PSV goes into final round with ‘bad feeling’, Ajax ‘motivation is fine’

The battle between PSV and Ajax for second place in the premier league, for a ticket into the third preliminary round of the Champions League, is still undecided.

PSV must then visit number four AZ, which in turn is still battling for third place (a Europa League playoff ticket), to get at least one point to be sure of the coveted second place.

Number three Ajax must make up three points on PSV, but also has a tough assignment on Sunday: win at number five FC Twente.

PSV was thus on match point for second place, but failed to capitalize on it with the 3-3 draw at home against sc Heerenveen. The Eindhoven natives needed a win.

And so next week, PSV must go full steam ahead against AZ. “There’s nothing wrong with that either. Nobody said it’s easy to come second. This is part of it,” coach Ruud van Nistelrooij suppressed his disappointment afterwards.

Whereas Van Nistelrooij kept a low profile, midfielder Joey Veerman had steam coming out of his ears right after the game. “We have to go full throttle now against AZ. Only now this is a shitty feeling,” fussed the Volendammer after the draw at home.

Ajax coach John Heitinga is happy to be back in sight of qualifying for the preliminary round of the Champions League after the 3-1 win over Utrecht.

“It is realistic that we can secure a place in the Europa League and you have to hope for more. We have to make sure we win our match,” the Amsterdammers coach said.

“But still a tough away game awaits us. We have to see it through ourselves, that’s the only thing we can do. The motivation is fine.”