Conference LeaguePSV’s European adventure seemed to be short-lived. After a 1-3 deficit, the Eindhoven team set up nicely at home, but then went wrong again. In the final phase, the 4-4 was still on the scoreboard via Eran Zahavi on a pass from star Cody Gakpo, who also scored twice.
It promises to be a blistering denouement between PSV and FC Copenhagen next week in Denmark. After a spectacular performance, the first game ended in 4-4 tonight, after Roger Schmidt’s team completely collapsed through the ice before half-time and went wrong again after half-time.
One goal after another was conceded in the first company and the number one in Denmark outclassed PSV. Schmidt and his team dangled just before the break, when it was even 1-3 and PSV was punished again after the umpteenth unnecessary miss. Keeper Joël Drommel and Philipp Max were the directors in an unparalleled festival of mistakes. PSV’s long journey through Europe, which started eight months ago in Istanbul, therefore seemed to have ended at home after 45 minutes.
PSV started eight months ago in Istanbul with the hope of reaching the group stage of the Champions League this season. That failed and things also went wrong in the group stage of the Europa League. Just like in the Eredivisie, the people of Eindhoven did not give in at the time of their choosing and they were relegated to the Europa Conference League. PSV wanted to push through to the final phase on that stage, but that is far from a certainty after tonight.
The start of PSV against the Danes was sloppy and weak. Before FC Copenhagen’s 0-1, Noni Madueke lost the ball and then everything went wrong, with goalkeeper Drommel not showing up well either. In a situation where he could have stayed better, the keeper came and that gave space to Isak Bergmann Johannesson who had slipped past Philipp Max.
Two goals and assist from Gakpo
The Eindhoven team recovered quickly and Cody Gakpo equalized at the first chance. A header that drained the class. Gakpo offered exactly the quality that PSV needs at this level. Moments later, Joey Veerman was unable to take a ball well and the midfielder did not intervene when Pep Biel came into a promising position. He fired a ball excellently, while Noni Madueke failed shortly afterwards. The Briton shot too rough from close range and missed the opportunity to help PSV with the second goal at the second opportunity.
The 1-3 still followed because Drommel did not get out of his goal at a corner, but PSV put things right after the break. Substitute Ritsu Doan scored PSV’s second goal with a watched shot in a crowded penalty area. The Eindhoven public sat up completely when Gakpo was allowed to score an easily given penalty, but he missed. Moments later, the Eindhoven attacker, the absolute star, still managed to make it 3-3. Mario Götze handed him the ball in a clever way, after which he was able to shoot in from close range.
Not long after, the fourth setback was a fact, as Ibrahim Sangaré passed a ball through the middle, overlooking an opponent’s player. The 3-4 seemed to be the death blow for PSV, but Eran Zahavi offered a solution just before the end with the 4-4. After an insane evening, the people of Eindhoven still have the chance to reach the quarterfinals of the third European tournament next week.
Gakpo is disappointed with missed penalty
Cody Gakpo thought that PSV could be blamed a lot before half-time. The Danes led 1-3 halfway through. ,,We were not sharp in the first half. We didn’t play with the right energy and were too weak in the duels,” said Gakpo. The PSV captain took his team by the hand in the second half. The international first missed a penalty, but was still accurate after that. He also provided the assist for Eran Zahavi’s 4-4. ,,We came in better as a team. But in the end we have to get him over the line”, said Gakpo. ,,I’m more angry than surprised, because I know what we can do. I should have made that penalty myself. I hit it badly.”
Schmidt not satisfied with the first half
Roger Schmidt was disappointed after the PSV game in the first half. ,,We have to learn from this, we were not fierce enough”, said the German trainer, who saw his team fight back after the break. ,,We weren’t playing well and it took 45 minutes to reach our normal level. The first and second half were completely different. You should never give up in these situations, even if you are behind.”
Jordan Teze saw a lot go wrong with his team. ,,They started the game well, we less,’ he said. “It is difficult to be happy with this result. We know we can still make it to the next round.”
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