Van der Sar reveals ‘favourite’ Juventus player but sends warning over PSV | OneFootball

Former Juventus goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar reveals Francisco Conceiçao is his favourite Bianconeri player but warns Thiago Motta’s men about four PSV players.

Juventus and PSV meet in the Champions League knockout playoff this evening.

The Bianconeri already met the Dutch side in the league phase, winning 3-1 in Turin in September.

Van der Sar, a former Juventus goalkeeper, previewed the game in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“It will be different, especially because this time it’s a two-legged tie, but I think Juventus still have the advantage: let’s say 60% Juve, 40% PSV,” he said.

Van der Sar reveals ‘favourite’ Juventus player but sends warning over PSV

MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 23: Rafael Leao of AC Milan is challenged by Francisco Conceicao and Teun Koopmeiners of Juventus during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Juventus at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on November 23, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Which PSV players could cause trouble for the Old Lady?

“I’d keep an eye on PSV’s forwards: Bakayoko, Lang, and Perisic are dangerous when they cut in from wide positions, and De Jong is a striker who knows how to score,” replied Van der Sar.

His compatriot Teun Koopmeiners has been struggling to justify his €60m price tag in Turin and will start from the bench today.

“I’ve known Koop since his time at AZ Alkmaar; we even scouted him for Ajax. In the end, we didn’t have room in midfield, and Atalanta signed him,” said van der Sar.

“Koopmeiners is crucial for the Netherlands, and I’m sure he’ll be just as important for Juve. Maybe the Dutch atmosphere of PSV will help him bounce back, and a new season will start for him. He’s a complete No. 8, and I like him a lot. He just needs to relieve some of the pressure, which is part of the game.”

However, the ex-keeper is a huge fan of another Juventus player.

“My favourite Juventus player is Conceiçao. He’s a great talent with a top mentality: he never holds back and is very determined,” he revealed.

“I was his director at Ajax in 2022-23, and he’s genuinely a good guy. I’m happy for Francisco and for Juve. It was a great signing.

“And maybe he will be the decisive man in the two-legged tie against PSV, with his mix of moves and dribbling. Conceição only needs a couple of his classic bursts to make the difference.”

Van der Sar suffered a brain haemorrhage in the summer of 2023 but has now recovered and is enjoying time with his family now.

“Right now, I’m doing well; I’m on vacation and enjoying time with my family after so many years fully immersed in football,” he said.

“However, football remains my passion. I watch a lot of matches, and as for the future, never say never. Maybe I’ll go back to working with ECA, UEFA, FIFA, or another club.

“In the meantime, I’ll be watching this Italy-Netherlands playoff. Juventus and Milan against PSV and Feyenoord. I expect great and hard-fought matches in the spirit of the new Champions League.