Mario Gotze explains PSV ploy which tricked FC Copenhagen fans over firework tactic

dailystar.co.uk:

PSV Eindhoven thrashed FC Copenhagen to reach the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League – and their victory may have been down to a clever trick the night before the match.PSV travelled to Copenhagen for the second leg of their tie in Europe’s third-tier competition with the score tied at 4-4, following an action-packed first encounter with their Danish opponents.

They knew they faced a difficult game away from home, so decided to take extra precautions.After hearing that Copenhagen’s fans were planning to interrupt their preparations for the match by setting off fireworks outside the hotel, they took action in an ingenious way which helped them record a thumping 4-0 win.Following the match, goalscorer Mario Gotze was interviewed about the ruse.

The former Bayern Munich midfielder initially played dumb before giving up the secret behind PSV’s win in the Danish capital.He was initially asked, with a knowing smile, whether he liked fireworks and whether he was expecting them outside the team’s hotel.

Eventually, after being met with blank looks, the interviewer went into a bit more detail about the Copenhagen fans’ plans and Gotze cracked into a grin. “Yeah, we placed the bus at the hotel, so it was on purpose,” Gotze replied. “I slept very well!” PSV’s clever decoy clearly had the desired effect with the well-rested Dutch side producing a brilliant performance to progress in the Europa Conference League. HAVE YOUR SAY!