Amir Bouhamdi has been handed a start for PSV as Peter Bosz named his line-up for Psv Vs AZ Alkmaar in the Johan Cruyff Shield. The 18-year-old gets the nod after an impressive pre-season, with kick-off at the Philips Stadion set for 6.00pm.
Bosz has chosen Matej Kovár in goal, with Kiliann Sildillia, Ryan Flamingo, Yarek Gasiorowski and Noah Fernández forming the back four. Mauro Júnior is tasked with providing control in midfield, while Joey Veerman and Sven Mijnans are expected to lean more toward the attacking side. Guus Til leads the line and Dennis Man starts on the left.
The selection of Bouhamdi is the clear twist in PSV’s XI. He starts ahead of Ruben van Bommel, who is being eased back after his serious knee injury, and that opens a lane for a teenager who has already forced his way into the conversation on merit. Ricardo Pepi, Paul Wanner and Ivan Perisic are on the bench, while Sergiño Dest is due to rejoin the group on Monday and Couhaib Driouech misses out with a minor injury.
AZ have gone with five at the back, a setup that puts extra weight on their shape from the first whistle. Mexx Meerdink leads the attack ahead of Troy Parrott, who is on the bench alongside Kees Smit and Calvin Stengs, while Wouter Goes, Lewin Schouten and Billy van Duijl are set to keep things tight at the heart of the defence. Mateo Chávez and Elijah Dijkstra are the wing-backs.
For PSV, the message is already clear before the season’s first trophy is contested: Bouhamdi has been trusted with a start in a major game, and van Bommel is still being brought along carefully. What happens after this is now the real question, because a strong showing at 18 can turn a one-off chance into something more permanent.
