PSV drew against Sporting Clube de Portugal (1-1) in the second match of the Champions League. Jerdy Schouten had put the home team at 1-0, after which PSV missed many opportunities. This cost the Eindhoven formation dearly, because the Portuguese came alongside a few minutes before the end.
“We can still do it,” many supporters will have said to each other about PSV. Because after the disaster in the opening round against Juventus, the main question was whether their team was good enough for the highest level. Did the leader of the Eredivisie have any business at this highest European level?
In any case, the answer was a resounding ‘yes’ on Tuesday evening. PSV played excellently in the second match in the Champions League. From minute one, Sporting got the feeling that there was nothing to be achieved in the Philips Stadium.
Outstanding Flamingo
It led to a wonderful European atmosphere in the stadium and a deserved lead for the home team. Jerdy Schouten scored the opening goal with a wonderful shot. The goal came from high pressure. Something we were used to from PSV last season, but saw so little this season.
Beforehand, there were fears for the striker of the Portuguese champions. Viktor Gyökeres easily scores them in the Portuguese competition. The Swede has already scored ten times in seven games. He was not involved in Eindhoven. The compliments went to Ryan Flamingo who made life difficult for his direct opponent.
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Ryan Flamingo in duel met Viktor Gyokeres (foto: OrangePictures).
Bergkampian action De Jong
All in all, it was a great team performance by PSV. They actually managed to win every game against the Portuguese, who were sometimes helped by the referee. The Italian Guida often fell for Sporting’s tricks. But the people of Eindhoven were not fooled.
Yet it remained (unnecessarily) tense in the Philips Stadium for a long time. PSV felt in control, but the 2-0 failed to materialize. Luuk de Jong should have scored the second Eindhoven goal: his Bergkampian action was not rewarded with a goal.
Missed opportunity Bakayoko
On the other hand, coach Peter Bosz’s formation got away well 20 minutes before the end after Eduardo Quaresma slipped face to face with PSV’s goalkeeper Walter Benitez and wasted an opportunity. It must be said: Johan Bakayoko in turn should have decided the match, but he still managed to shoot wide after he had already rounded the keeper. That cost PSV dearly, because not much later the score was still equal. Daniel Braganca tapped in from close range: 1-1.
PSV continued to push in the final phase, but they were unable to score a winning goal. After two games, the Eindhoven club has one point. A confrontation in Paris with Paris Saint Germain awaits in three weeks.
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