After a very restless week, due to the defeat against Ajax and with it the waste of the chances of a new national title, PSV removed the pressure from the boiler somewhat on Saturday evening. Visit FC Groningen won the Eindhoven players with 1-3. Due to the win, the gap with number three Feyenoord remains five points.
The loss against Ajax arrived hard at PSV. Trainer Peter Bosz knew that a good result against FC Groningen was necessary in order not to lower confidence to the absolute low point. Good news for the reigning national champion was that Malik Tillman, after months of injury, could start again from the first minute.
After 11 minutes, the American international, who already fell against Ajax last week, handed his calling card by shooting the opening goal just outside the sixteen -meter area. It was FC Groningen that then went hunting to the equalizer, but chances were killed. After half an hour it was hit on the other hand, when Ivan Perisic pretty well headed from a cross by Richard Ledezma: 0-2.
Goalkeeper injured
FC Groningen brought back the tension in the last fifteen minutes of the first half. Dave Kwakman punished moderately defending at PSV and hit goalkeeper Walter Benitez: 1-2. At the end of the first half, the same Benitez was injured in a shot from Stijte Resink. Reserve goalkeeper Joël Drommel entered the field for him in the second half.
In the second half, PSV’s intentions were immediately clear: making the 1-3 as quickly as possible. Ismael Saibari left an early chance on the third Eindhoven goal. FC Groningen then came up dangerously several times and that caused even more noise in the stands.
Opportunities De Jong
It was the people of Eindhoven who made the desired 1-3 fifteen minutes before time. Luuk de Jong was sent in depth and effectively pulled out through a Groningen leg. The VAR, however, helped referee Bas Nijhuis a hand and noted offside. De Jong had a huge opportunity shortly thereafter to make the third Eindhoven goal, but the striker pricked the ball just wide.
Shortly before time, the decisive 1-3 fell by Johan Bakayoko. The Belgian wing attacker was just no offside at his striking header and the three -point was almost inside. In the final phase, nothing changed in the stand.
Champions League
With six games to go in the Eredivisie, the gap with number three Feyenoord is five points. FC Utrecht is at nine points, but that club will still take action against Go Ahead Eagles tomorrow. The second place is the main goal of the people of Eindhoven, because that means a direct ticket for the Champions League next season.
PSV program:
Almere City FC (Thuis) FC Twente (from) Fortuna Sittard (Thuis) Feyenoord (from) Heracles Almelo (Thuis) Sparta Rotterdam (off)