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Van Bommel's mark of success
Thursday, 24 March 2005
If Mark van Bommel was not already one of Europe's most sought-after players before this weekend, he certainly is now.
PSV Eindhoven were already seven points clear in the Eredivisie when they travelled to the Dutch capital to play arch-rivals AFC Ajax on Sunday. Ajax, adrift in third, knew victory was paramount if they were to keep any hope of defending their title, or even of keeping in touch with second-placed AZ Alkmaar in the race for the Netherlands' UEFA Champions League third qualifying round place.
To that end, new Ajax coach Danny Blind, in his first match after replacing Ronald Koeman, adopted an attacking formation, but PSV blew them away with some irresistible football at the Amsterdam ArenA. Phillip Cocu had already given PSV the lead when Van Bommel struck the first of an impressive treble.
"It was great to score three goals," said the PSV midfield general. "But even more beautiful than my three goals, are the three points. Ajax are a whole 14 points behind us now, so we only have to worry about AZ. As long as they are still close to us, nothing has been decided yet."
Europe's leading clubs, most notably FC Barcelona, have been reported chasing Van Bommel's signature - and his departure seems inevitable. "I have had great times but I really want to leave," he told uefa.com. "I am up for a change. Of course the club is doing very well this season, but that does not change my decision. I am ready for a new challenge."
A product of SC Fortuna Sittard, where he was coached by his father-in-law, Bert van Marwijk, Van Bommel moved to PSV in 1999 aged 22. His new side claimed the Eredivisie title in both of his first two seasons at the Philips stadium.
Another championship arrived in 2002/03, but last term groin problems wrecked his season, meaning he missed the UEFA EURO 2004™ finals in Portugal and much of PSV's unsuccessful title defence. But this term he is back in bloom.
"He is the best player from the Netherlands at the moment and fits into the Dutch team well," said former Ajax coach Ronald Koeman, whose former team-mate Marco van Basten aims to use Van Bommel at the heart of his Netherlands midfield in Romania on Saturday in a vital FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Indeed, Van Basten admits he is desperate for Van Bommel to overcome a slight knee injury to play. "As far as I can tell now [he] can participate on Saturday," said Van Basten. "The chance that he may start is very big."
After all, Van Bommel supplies so much to any team - he can run the midfield, win the ball, and has a ferocious shot from long range. His presence has been vital to PSV finally getting past the Champions League group stage this season after so many failed attempts, playing every minute of the campaign, and it was his swinging corner that Alex headed in to set them on the way to victory against last 16 opponents AS Monaco FC.
Olympique Lyonnais await in the last eight, and Van Bommel admitted: "I know that Lyon are a good, strong and attractive team. They have been [French] champions three times in a row, and they are leading again. That tells you everything about their strength." And PSV's performances this season tell you everything about Van Bommel's.
[bron]