For trainer Peter Bosz, the title comes together: his first prize, with attractive and results-producing football

Peter Bosz does not have to think long when he is asked at the press conference whether it feels like satisfaction to him, his first major prize at the highest level. “No, I get that satisfaction from other moments,” says the trainer. ‘Of course I am really happy with the national title, but that is not the only thing.’

Bosz points to the moment, half an hour earlier, when the stadium speaker announces his name and he walks towards the stage in an exuberant Philips Stadium. ‘I thought I could tell from the way the crowd reacted that they were also very happy with the way we played football this season. For me it is just as important that we have entertained the people, given them fun.’

On Liberation Day, PSV was not only crowned champion of the Premier League, but also champion of attack. As the best football team that showed that attack can be the best defense. Knowing that the defense has been the Achilles heel of the Eindhoven club in recent years, regardless of which trainer was in charge of the group.

Bosz’s appointment felt like a paradox at the start of the season: with Bosz, PSV got an always offensive-minded coach who had to reduce the number of goals conceded. But in practice it worked out wonderfully well. In fact, it turned out to be the key to success.

Bosz urged his players from the start: the deeper they conquer the ball in the opponent’s half, the less pressure on their own defenders and the shorter the path to the opponent’s goal. The fact that the players managed to translate Bosz’s tactics onto the field is also evident from a series of figures from data agency Opta.

PSV captured the most balls within 40 meters of the enemy goal, which says something about applying high pressure. In addition, PSV allowed the opponent the least number of passes on average before winning the ball back. A number of figures to underline the attacking urge: PSV scored the most (107 times), shot on target the most and had the most ball contacts in the opponent’s penalty area.

On the other hand, there was defensive stability, while only mercenary Sergino Dest came to strengthen the often criticized defense. With two games to go, PSV only scored nineteen goals. By comparison, in the previous two seasons that number was more than double: 42 and 40.

Bosz: ‘I came here as a trainer at the start of the season. Then you need the time to get to know your players. But when I see how quickly they have picked up the way of playing football that we advocated, that is unique, I think.’

For the 60-year-old Bosz, two worlds came together in Eindhoven in his first season as coach of PSV: that of a national title and of entertaining play. ‘We have shown that both are possible.’ The title as a victory for attacking football? ‘I hope so.’