VÍCTOR ORTA: "WE ARE A BETTER TEAM NOW THAN WE WERE AGAINST LENS"

Sporting director, Víctor Orta, spoke to the media in Eindhoven on Tuesday about our match against PSV: "We are a better team now than the one that faced Lens two weeks ago, more stable, conceding less goals, more solid and together. It’s always harder to play away from home against Europe’s elite clubs, but I think the timing is good for us.”

Asked about PSV’s fine run of form in the Eredivise as league leaders, Orta replied: “We’ve faced these situations many times before. Being unbeaten in any league… well, I’m sure Ajax would trade places with them. You must give them credit for what they are doing. Peter Bosz is very clear about how he wants to play is playing, he’s a tactical expert and helped a good group of talented youngsters to mature. They have a very Dutch style of play, practical and capable of scoring many goals. They’re a team you have to respect, current league leaders and probably favourites for the title given Feyenoord’s lack of squad depth. They also have a great atmosphere at their stadium, which will certainly help them.”

"Peter Bosz is very clear about how he wants to play is playing, he’s a tactical expert and helped a good group of talented youngsters to mature” 

He was also asked to comment on how quickly Lukebakio had adapted to the team, but also pointed to other new signings: “We are very happy with how Lukebakio has slotted in, it’s happened much quicker than we expected. We have to be a bit more patient with the others as the other areas of the pitch are a work in progress. Pedrosa is contributing well, Sergio [Ramos], Soumaré, Nyland… They’ve all arrived and make up a squad that offers lots of options for the manager. We’re happy with the impact they’re all having, not just that of one player.”

In addition, he spoke the development of the team: “The first part of the season was hampered by the transfer window. That seems like an excuse, but it did have a huge impact as we had so many players undergoing negotiations. I feel like it affected us more than the rest of the league. Nevertheless, except for the Alavés game, we could have got more out of the other two games in August. When the window closed, the international break helped the group grow closer and we’ve subsequently seen a team that is more mature, more in tune with the coach’s ideas, one that presses and dominates more. Hopefully we can continue this upward trajectory tomorrow with a win, which would go a long way to helping us reach the next round.”

"Lately, we’ve subsequently seen a team that is more mature, more in tune with the coach’s ideas."

He acknowledged that the aim is to finish second in the group: “What do I know, but Arsenal have a 95% chance of finishing top. They’re on a different level and, if they fair well in the draw, they could reach the semi-finals. So it’s vital to pick up points away from home to finish second. I said in the build-up to Lens that six points at home to Lens and PSV would be interesting. We have already drawn once so we need to win one away game. Hopefully that victory will come here, so at least we can go into the Arsenal double header with four points and some momentum.”

Addressing Ramos’s own goal in Barcelona last week, he insisted it is a natural part of the game: “It happens to every player, he always offer intensity and that was no different in the last match. He was exceptional in the first half, playing two cross-field passes. The goal was just a moment in time, and I think every defender would do the same in that situation as the ball falls between his legs. The team knows what he offers us, but nobody more so than the player himself.

“It’s vital to pick up points away from home to finish second.”

He was also asked about Mendilibar: "The transfer market made it difficult for everyone to perform at their highest level. It's helped the manager to know exactly who he has at his disposal, who he can call upon, what he wants from them and what he can ask of them. The international break acted as an extra preseason to get together, take stock and make plans to improve from that point onwards." Finally, he spoke on the progress of Nianzou and Marcao: "They are both back in parts of team training, with Nianzou further ahead in his recovery. I've been told that today he has completed some intense physical tests with the youth team. The green light to return to full training is imminent and then we'll decide when he's ready for competitive action. Marcao has been training really well but we don't want to bring him back too soon. Nianzou is slightly closer to his comeback but Marcao is also progressing well and is on the grass, which is a cause for optimism."