PSV begin the defence of their Eredivisie title at home against Sittard on Saturday night, and the main question is simple: how quickly can Peter Bosz’s side put last weekend’s 4-0 Johan Cruyff Shield defeat to AZ Alkmaar behind them?
That loss was a sharp reminder that a record-breaking domestic season does not carry any guarantee into the new campaign. PSV are still the reigning Dutch champions after a season in which they scored 101 goals and collected a 27th Eredivisie crown, but the margin for early-season error is now much smaller.
Sittard arrive at the Phillips Stadion with their own concerns. They struggled to finish last season strongly, and they also had issues keeping clean sheets, last doing so in November 2025. Their final league result on May 17th was a 2-0 defeat against Utrecht, while PSV signed off their campaign with a 5-1 win against Twente on the same day.
Bosz needs a response, not a reset
The defeat to AZ Alkmaar in the Johan Cruyff Shield will not erase what PSV achieved over the course of the previous season, but it does create an immediate test of attitude and rhythm. For a side that has been built on attacking authority, the opening league fixture is as much about mentality as it is about quality.
PSV’s numbers from last season still underline why they start as strong favourites. They were relentless in front of goal, and in 34 Eredivisie appearances, that scoring power carried them through the title race. But the fact they were beaten 4-0 at home last weekend gives this match a different edge.
Sittard will look to make it awkward
Sittard may not arrive with the same expectation, but that can make them dangerous in an opener like this. Danny Buijs will know that PSV are under pressure to produce an immediate response, and the visitors can try to use that to slow the game down and keep the contest alive for as long as possible.
PSV, though, should see this as the right kind of game to settle themselves. They have home advantage, they have the stronger squad, and they have the added motivation of showing that the Johan Cruyff Shield was an outlier rather than a warning sign.
If Bosz gets the reaction he is looking for, PSV can start their title defence with authority. If not, that 4-0 loss to AZ Alkmaar will continue to hang over the opening weeks of the season.
