Ismaël Saibari expressed frustration after PSV Eindhoven were eliminated from the Champions League following a 2-1 defeat by Bayern Munich, admitting he was unaware of results elsewhere that could have changed the team’s approach.
The Dutch side’s exit was confirmed after the loss, despite the fact that a 1-1 draw would have been enough to keep them in contention.
Had PSV secured a point, the Eredivisie leaders would have finished no lower than 24th in the standings and progressed to the play-off stage for a place in the last 16.
Instead, the defeat brought an abrupt end to their European campaign. PSV finished on eight points with a goal difference of zero, a tally that would have placed them ahead of Benfica, who qualified in 24th position with nine points but a goal difference of minus two.
The narrow margins highlighted how close PSV were to advancing.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Saibari was asked why the team did not protect the draw once it became clear that a single point could have been enough.
The Moroccan midfielder explained that he did not have access to real-time information during the match.
“I was too far from the bench, so I didn’t hear anything. I don’t know if the rest of the team knew the scores from the other matches.
If we had stopped playing, people would have asked us: ‘Why did you stop playing instead of pushing forward?’ It’s easy to say after the fact,” Saibari said, clearly exasperated.
His comments reflected the confusion that can arise during decisive matchdays, when outcomes across multiple fixtures can directly influence qualification.
Saibari suggested that decisions made on the pitch were taken without full awareness of the broader context, leaving players to rely on instinct rather than calculation.
The elimination has been particularly painful for PSV given their strong domestic form and the fine margins involved.
A single goal or moment of caution could have altered their fate, but instead the Dutch side were left to reflect on what might have been.
For Saibari, the frustration was evident as he attempted to explain the team’s mindset.
His remarks underlined the difficulty of balancing ambition and caution in high-stakes matches, especially when crucial information does not reach the players in time.
PSV’s Champions League journey ends with disappointment, but the debate over their approach against Bayern Munich is likely to linger, shaped by the fine line between progress and elimination.
