Some interesting comments this week in Flying Kiwis, about where Thomas may fit into PSV's plans re their season ahead. Be great to see a Kiwi feature in the UCL group stage, fingers crossed.
"PSV did what needed doing without him as they beat Galatasaray 2-1 in the away leg thanks to goals from Noni Madueka and Marco van Ginkel. Olivier Boscagli did get a second half red card though which meant he missed the first leg of the subsequent tie against FC Midtjylland of Denmark - who knocked Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic out in extra time to advance to that point. That Midtylland game was still too soon for Ryan Thomas to return, however the word is that he is expected to be back for the game against Ajax on the weekend in the Johan Cruyff Shield... which is the Community Shield of Dutch footy. A trophy on the line albeit not a priority one and getting into the Champions League group stage is by far the main target.
"PSV did what needed doing without him as they beat Galatasaray 2-1 in the away leg thanks to goals from Noni Madueka and Marco van Ginkel. Olivier Boscagli did get a second half red card though which meant he missed the first leg of the subsequent tie against FC Midtjylland of Denmark - who knocked Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic out in extra time to advance to that point. That Midtylland game was still too soon for Ryan Thomas to return, however the word is that he is expected to be back for the game against Ajax on the weekend in the Johan Cruyff Shield... which is the Community Shield of Dutch footy. A trophy on the line albeit not a priority one and getting into the Champions League group stage is by far the main target.
Roger Schmidt: “Ryan Thomas has some ankle problems, but nothing serious. We hope he can join us on Saturday”
And that target’s looking good after a comprehensive 3-0 win in the first leg. A thirteen minute blitz between minutes 19-32 saw Noni Madueke, Mario Gotze, and Cody Gakpo all score. Madueke’s was the pick of the bunch with a beautiful curling left-footed strike from the young English winger... who then nearly injured himself scaling the advertising hoardings in his celebration.
The second half was more wasteful as PSV didn’t quite hammer home their dominance again as they had in the initial 45 but they’re still in a brilliant position heading to Denmark for the second leg. Get through that one (and note that FCM are missing several players after a coronavirus outbreak) and there’s one more round of qualifying before the UCL group stages are a reality. The victors of Spartak Moscow (Russia) vs Benfica (Portugal) will await in that final playoff round for whoever advances.
The second half was more wasteful as PSV didn’t quite hammer home their dominance again as they had in the initial 45 but they’re still in a brilliant position heading to Denmark for the second leg. Get through that one (and note that FCM are missing several players after a coronavirus outbreak) and there’s one more round of qualifying before the UCL group stages are a reality. The victors of Spartak Moscow (Russia) vs Benfica (Portugal) will await in that final playoff round for whoever advances.
Meanwhile it’s transfer season at the Dutch club. Donyell Malen completed his move to Dortmund last week for decent coin (rumoured to be around €35m) so there’s your Jadon Sancho replacement right there. Midfielder Pablo Rosario has also left, he’s signed for Nice in France. Plus Mo Ihattaren’s days at PSV seem numbered as his dramas continue. Ihattaren didn’t play a minute in either leg against Galatasaray and after having been a bit of a wonder kid a couple years ago (he’s still only 19 years old), things have changed drastically as his attitude hasn’t impressed manager Roger Schmidt and opportunities to play have been scarce. Wesley Sneijder was talking about it as a pundit recently and he basically said that if Ryan Thomas is playing ahead of you then it’s time to go... bit harsh of him but maybe something got lost in translation.
The final straw for the club appears to have come as Ihatarren had reported sick for the second leg against Galatasaray but then was photographed out with his agent Mino Raiola... yes, that guy. Hence Schmidt has told him he’s no longer to train with the first team, putting him on an individual regime instead."
The final straw for the club appears to have come as Ihatarren had reported sick for the second leg against Galatasaray but then was photographed out with his agent Mino Raiola... yes, that guy. Hence Schmidt has told him he’s no longer to train with the first team, putting him on an individual regime instead."
Up Next: Ajax vs PSV, Johan Cruyff Shield at 6am on Sunday... plus it’s Midtjylland on Wednesday at 6am (NZT)