The game in the Philips Stadium was the penultimate test for PSV before the season officially starts. Next Sunday, trainer Peter Bosz hopes to seize the Johan Cruijff Scale for the second time in his career. In Eindhoven, cup winner Go Ahead Eagles is the opponent. On Wednesday, PSV will first play the annual Lichtstadderby against FC Eindhoven.
Schouten New captain
Shortly before the start of the game, PSV announced that Jerdy Schouten is the new leader this season. The midfielder takes over the band from striker Luuk de Jong, whose contract has ended and about whose future is currently still uncertainty. Against Athletic Club de Bilbao, which will be released this season in the Champions League and was therefore a serious opponent, it became clear that PSV with Alassane Pleea already has a worthy competitor for Ricardo Pepi.
The people of Eindhoven paid 3.5 million euros (excluding bonuses) for the 32-year-old goalgetter from Borussia Mönchengladbach. That seems like a bargain. The Frenchman already impressed in the practice match during the training camp in Germany against VFB Stuttgart (4-4, goal and assist), but now the people present also saw that plea is capable of. The striker showed before the break that he can play well and can act as a point of contact. And that he has an excellent technique.
After Bilbao-clone legend Inaki Williams had brought the visitors from Spain the lead with a header from a free kick-PSV goalkeeper Matej Kovar did not look good-PSV fans brought the PSV fans to rod after 26 minutes. The striker gate his opponent and then set up a flashy attack over many discs. A hard shot by Ruben van Bommel, who made his unofficial home debut in the stadium where his father Mark experienced so many successful years, was turned by goalkeeper Unai Simon. However, the rebound was a prey for plea.
The Spanish superstar Nico Williams is closely monitored by PSV-back Sergino Dest. © Getty Images
Duel to Johan Cruijff Scale between PSV and Go Ahead Eagles in the hands of Joey Kooij
The same Frenchman made Van Bommel free for Simon shortly after the break, but his assumption was moderate. Briefly, plea hit the post from a difficult angle. Yet PSV, which put a great second half on the mat, would take the lead. In the 55th minute, Joey Veerman saw how his long shot was changed in such a way by a Spanish leg that Simon was hopeless: 2-1. Substitute Couhaib Driouech, who replaced the injured Van Bommel, shot just afterwards.
The current basic team of PSV also seems, with the reliable -looking Yarek Gasiorowski in the back, ready for the new season. Although another replacement can be added for the left star player Malik Tillman. The goalkeeper choice may also have to be examined by Bosz. Because the Czech Kovar did not make a very certain impression in the Eindhoven goal and with the Nick Olij, who came over from Sparta, there is an excellent goalkeeper on the couch.
Paul Wanner in the picture at PSV as a possible successor to Malik Tillman
Joey Veerman at the ball in the exhibition match against Athletic Bilbao. © Getty Images