PSV also failed to win the third group match in the Champions League. In Lens, the Eindhoven team did not get further than a 1-1 draw. Johan Bakayoko had given the visitors the lead, but the French came alongside through Elye Wahi. Because of the point, PSV’s group is still open.
Peper had had tea there at PSV. Because while the first half was unworthy of the Champions League, the Eindhoven team really enjoyed it in the second half. It led to the lead. The RC Lens goalkeeper seemed to miss a shot from Johan Bakayoko. The Belgian put the 0-1 on the scoreboard.
A goal that the match needed, because the first half was boring, bad and above all unsportsmanlike. The French were always looking for an upset. The PSV players kept calm but could not make any progress playing football. Too many players did not reach their level. Hirving Lozano was close to scoring in the first half, but his shot hit the post.
PSV has lost it
But while PSV started the second half well, it started to decline after taking the lead. The game was even worse than in the first half. RC Lens seemed to find new strength and overwhelmed the visitors. The equalizer via Elye Wahi was deserved ten minutes after the opening goal.
Even after that equalizer, PSV barely crossed the halfway line. The French played with more intensity. The people of Eindhoven had lost it.
No final offensive
Yet fifteen minutes before the end, PSV seemed to have recovered. They took the initiative again without creating real opportunities. The match could have gone either way. But with a draw, both teams will remain in the group. Especially because Arsenal won at Sevilla.
Both PSV and Lens seemed to realize this, which meant that there was no real final offensive. The Eindhoven team takes a point from France and continues to compete for wintering in the Champions League. But then they really have to beat RC Lens at home in two weeks.