PSV has taken three points in the Eredivisie for the first time this year. NAC Breda was defeated with great difficulty at home. The provincial rival took the lead in the Philips Stadium through Leo Sauer and played a good match. Yet Carl Hoefkens’ team went home empty-handed. After 90 minutes there was a 3-2 final score on the scoreboard.
No, PSV’s dip is not over yet. Everyone agreed on that on Saturday evening. At home, the leader of the Eredivisie had the greatest possible difficulty with NAC. The team that finished last season as number 8 in the Kitchen Champion Division traveled to Eindhoven with a brutal battle plan and took a surprising but deserved lead.
Earlier, a goal by Sydney van Hooijdonk had been disallowed due to a foul. Elias Már Ómarsson also scored the 1-0 a few minutes later, but he bumped into PSV goalkeeper Walter Benitez. The third opportunity for NAC did produce the opening goal. This time it was Sauer who scored the rebound.
Til puts things in order
The fact that PSV gave away three huge chances at home against mid-table NAC was telling about the form of the Eindhoven team. Earlier this season, teams such as FC Twente were defeated in their own Philips Stadium.
Yet PSV put things in order before half time. Two goals from Guus Til made it 2-1 at halftime. NAC still had reason to complain because Ivan Perisic could have just received a red card just before half time. It remained yellow.
NAC puts pressure on PSV
NAC certainly did not have a chance against PSV and managed to create opportunities with daring football. PSV got a little better as the match progressed, but the top form of the first half of the season was still far away. It was striking how often the leader of the Eredivisie came under pressure.
NAC was unable to create major opportunities, but was dominant at times. On the other hand, Ismael Saibari and substitute Ricardo Pepi were close to the final decision. In the end it became 3-1 through Pepi in injury time. Kacper Kostorz scored a second Breda goal shortly before the final whistle.
Three points for PSV, but that does not mean that the concerns in Eindhoven disappear. The game is and remains worrying. How different is the story of NAC. The formation of coach Carl Hoefkens seems to be maintaining itself with good football. NAC is really an asset to the Eredivisie, even though it went home empty-handed on Saturday evening.