Veerman critical, Bosz forgiving: Mixed PSV reaction following Champions League defeat

Joey Veerman cut a critical and reflective figure after PSV lost 3-1 to Union Saint-Gilloise in the Champions League opening night.

“It seemed like we were afraid to ask for the ball. Then you get people running with the ball, and everything takes far too long. It just wasn’t good,” the midfielder told Ziggo Sport.

Speaking of Ricardo Pepi playing a role in the first two Union goals, the midfielder said, “Those are personal mistakes. That can happen; everyone makes them. We have to solve it as a team,” continued Veerman, who also saw Ismael Saibari miss two golden chances in front of goal. “That shouldn’t happen in the Champions League.”

“We gave away the first two goals too easily,” the 26-year-old continued. “That shouldn’t happen either.”

What a performance…

WHAT A COMPETITION DEBUT https://t.co/rtLfeqG8Ld
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Regarding fear in possession, PSV head coach Peter Bosz disagreed with Joey Veerman’s analysis. “Players say things like that right after a game, but I don’t believe any of our players are afraid to ask for the ball.

“We all have players who can play well, but Union were on top of it, and that made it difficult. I don’t think we have any guys who don’t want the ball. I think Joey just doesn’t understand why we didn’t play well tonight.”

The coach wasn’t too harsh on his team. “This is now my third season at PSV where we’ve started the Champions League with a defeat. The previous two seasons, we kept going. I can say it’s disappointing. I also thought we weren’t good enough. If you’re not good enough, you need a bit of luck. That wasn’t the case tonight.”

EINDHOVEN, NETHERLANDS – SEPTEMBER 16: Peter Bosz, Head Coach of PSV Eindhoven, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between PSV Eindhoven and R. Union Saint-Gilloise at PSV Stadion on September 16, 2025 in Eindhoven, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

“We had two good chances in the first fifteen minutes, but we didn’t capitalise on them and they took the lead after nine minutes from a penalty,” he reflected on the spectacular opening phase of the match.

“But all in all, Union deserved to win. We’re playing in the Champions League. That’s the highest level there is, so everything has to be top-notch. That wasn’t the case tonight. We weren’t strong in the match, and those goals came at unfortunate moments for us. You should never rely on luck, but sometimes you need it.”

GBeNeFN | Max Bradfield