04 dec 2023 om 05:13
With a goal for PSV in the cracker against Feyenoord and a nice goal against Sevilla, Ismael Saibari had a dream week. The 22-year-old midfielder himself remained sober, but PSV coach Peter Bosz predicts a great future for him.
When Bosz told the press conference on Sunday after the match against Feyenoord (1-2 win) how strong Belgian players usually are, Saibari interrupted his trainer. “Stronger than the Dutch, right,” says Saibari, laughing. The midfielder, who was born in Spain but grew up in Belgium, was a cheerful man after the victory in De Kuip.
That can be explained, after what was a dream week of an already great season for the midfielder. On Tuesday, the 22-year-old midfielder visited Sevilla (2-3 win) with a brilliant goal that was the basis of PSV’s comeback. This resulted in qualification for the knockout phase of the Champions League.
And against Feyenoord, Saibari scored the opening goal, after he had already been one of the few bright spots in the first half with some good dribbles. “They gave away more space after the break because they had to come. We took advantage of that. I knew we were going to win anyway,” Saibari said matter-of-factly.
The one-time Moroccan international did not want to emphasize his own role in the victory, but Bosz was impressed by his pupil. “I thought he excelled. He is incredibly strong, really powerhouse, and technically very good. He also lasts another ninety minutes,” said the PSV coach.
Peter Bosz thought Saibari excelled against Feyenoord and predicts a great future for the midfielder. Photo: Pro Shots
Saibari knew difficult first year
The current Saibari cannot be compared to that of last season. Ruud van Nistelrooij surprisingly brought the midfielder to the first team and gave him confidence, but Saibari could not pay off. In 33 games in all competitions he scored just once.
He has already scored six goals this season, including against Rangers FC (two) and Ajax. “I talk to Ismael a lot about his performance. He has many qualities that can make him a very great football player. He still lacked goals. If he also starts to score them, then it will be unprecedented,” said Bosz.
Yet Saibari is not a regular starter at PSV this season. The midfielder, who played ‘lower’ than normal against Feyenoord, has stiff competition with Malik Tillman, Guus Til and Isaac Babadi in the ‘ten position’. Saibari understands that this means he finds himself on the bench more often than he wants.
“I always want to play everything, but I have to respect the coach’s decisions. I also understand that he sometimes chooses other players. We have quite a few good football players.”
Bosz jokes: ‘Also sign Schouten’s brother’
Because Saibari started, midfielder Jerdy Schouten moved from midfield to the defensive center. Bosz was full of praise for how the Dutch national team played at the back. “I think he will eventually play there, as he gets older. But for us he is now very useful in midfield. Or we should also sign his brother, so that we can field them both.”
2023-12-04 04:13:31
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