Eindhoven coach Peter Bosz took decisive action on Thursday and left Malik Tillman on the bench for the away game in Enschede after he arrived late. The former Munich player was then publicly criticized by his teammates.
After Ajax’s slip-up last Sunday – a 0-4 defeat in Utrecht – PSV Eindhoven had the opportunity to reduce the gap to the leaders to six points on Thursday in Enschede. Former Munich player Malik Tillman was supposed to help in this endeavor from the start, but he surprisingly took a seat on the bench.
However, Tillman’s demotion was not due to his performance – he had even scored in the previous game – but was a disciplinary measure. Coach Peter Bosz revealed that Tillman had arrived late for a team meeting. “What applies to Saibari also applies to him: agreements must be kept,” said Bosz.
He was referring to the removal of Ismael Saibari from the squad for the Champions League round of 16 second leg against Arsenal after he had been late on several occasions. “That is, of course, the responsibility of the player himself. They are all young guys, including Malik, and we definitely have to help them. But they have to learn quickly,” explained the Dutchman.
Substitute Til almost turns the game around single-handedly
Tillman’s captain was more outspoken than the coach. “You’re letting your team down somehow,” explained Luuk de Jong, who also sought a conversation with Tillman, in an interview with ESPN. It had already happened to “a few” and everyone knew “what the consequences are.” However, the team had “cushioned the blow wonderfully,” emphasized the striker.
This praise is likely directed primarily at Guus Til. After all, it was Tillman’s replacement who, after Ricky van Wolfswinkel’s early goal, almost single-handedly turned the game around with an assist and a goal – and the 27-year-old also set up the final score of 3-1. “One man’s loss is another man’s gain,” said Joey Veerman.
Incidentally, Til and Tillman were back on the pitch together for the last 20 minutes of the game. The American benefited from Saibari’s ankle injury and came on in the 69th minute. That should finally put the issue to rest for both parties.
