Eight hits were scored in Eindhoven on Thursday evening. But the goal-rich Conference League match between PSV and FC Copenhagen did not produce a winner. After more than 90 minutes there was a 4-4 final score. The home team will be most disappointed with the result, it was childishly easy to give away the goals against.
The entertainment value of the match was very high. A wonderful European evening in Eindhoven. But PSV’s level was nothing to write home about, especially in the first half. It played very weakly, especially the defense. Olivier Boscagli was absent from that defense due to illness. He was replaced by Armando Obispo.
You could actually see pretty quickly that PSV was not feeling well in the game – and after six minutes on the scoreboard. Isak Bergmann Johannesson outplayed Joël Drommel and gave the Danes the lead early on.
Error upon error
It seemed to be a long evening as the 0-2 seemed imminent. The 1-1 fell literally and figuratively from the sky after a quarter of the game. Who else but Cody Gakpo headed PSV next to FC Copenhagen.
The home crowd couldn’t enjoy that equalizer for long, because a minute later the ball was already in the other goal. Joey Veerman suffered a clumsy loss of possession after which Pep Biel came face to face with Drommel. He didn’t fail and put Copenhagen back in the lead.
PSV did not want to wake up yet. Just before half-time, it sustained worse damage. After Mauro Júnior had taken a ball off the line a minute earlier, the following corner went in. A ball within five meters of the goal could be headed in freely. A ball that must be touched by a goalkeeper. Another foul and another goal conceded.
different face
In the second half, PSV showed a completely different face. It was more menacing and seemed revived. The connecting goal was not long in coming. Ritsu Doan – coming in for Veerman – shot a falling ball hard against the ropes: 2-3.
PSV pushed through and showed with flurries that it can indeed play football. After an hour of play, the red and whites had the perfect opportunity to equalize. They received a gift from the referee in the form of a penalty. Gakpo just didn’t open the present, he missed from eleven meters.
Ten minutes after his missed penalty, the Eindhovener was soon able to take revenge. He scored the 3-3 from the rebound.
Next error
PSV seemed ready to push through and travel to Denmark with a victory. But again it made a mistake in the back. Ten minutes before the end, Ibrahim Sangaré gave the ball to Biel in his own half. The Spaniard took full advantage and put FC Copenhagen in the lead.
PSV was able to give chase again and came up with an ultimate final offensive. Sangaré was immediately victimized and Carlos Vinícius added another striker to the team.
That final offensive gave PSV the equalizer five minutes before the end. Eran Zahavi headed in a pass from Gakpo: 4-4.
PSV no longer took a lead on Thursday evening. In Copenhagen it will be clear next week who can report in the quarterfinals of the Conference League. An advantage. Since this season, away goals no longer count double. One of the few windfalls for PSV on an insane evening.