PSV closed the annual fan day with a defeat against the Spanish Villarreal. The team of coach Ruud van Nistelrooij still took the lead thanks to Luuk de Jong, but eventually lost 1-2 to the semi-finalist of the previous Champions League season.
The Philips Stadium was well filled for Van Nistelrooij’s first game as PSV coach in the stadium. In the first act, the fans saw a match that went up and down nicely. PSV was still sloppy at times, with the coordination between the defense and midfield in particular causing problems.
Partly because of this, Villarreal had some opportunities in the first 45 minutes. Moreno headed over from close range after two minutes, and PSV goalkeeper Benitez then managed to keep his goal clean with a clever reflex. At PSV, Joey Veerman and Xavi Simons stood out in a positive sense, just like Noni Madueke. After 28 minutes, PSV’s first real chance was immediately converted into a goal. Hoever sent Simons deep, who then managed to reach De Jong. PSV’s number nine tapped in at the first post: 1-0.
After that goal, things went a bit better at PSV, although Villarreal remained dangerous because of the space they were given. Space was also given to attacker Yeremy Pino a minute after the break. The Spaniard did not miss this opportunity and scored diagonally for the equalizer: 1-1.
Moments later, PSV got away well when Arnaut Danjuma turned away nicely and his shot hit the crossbar. On the other hand, Madueke was menacing a number of times. Then both teams started making a lot of substitutions. After about 75 minutes of the original starting eleven, only Benitez was left on the field.
The youthful PSV pushed a bit, but a goal fell on the other side. Nicolas Jackson headed the 1-2 against the ropes ten minutes before the end. That was also the final score.
Luke de Jong
De Jong regularly grumbled in the first half about the fact that he was treated harshly by the Villarreal defenders: ,,I don’t know what I did to them. There’s nothing I can remember. I had the feeling they were looking for me. Then you get frustrated. That helped me to score too,” said De Jong at ESPN.
The returning striker scored on a pass from Xavi Simons. ,,I already shouted: ‘first pole, first pole’. Delicious ball from Xavi. Was it a good match? In the first half we started less, but after ten minutes we had it right. We played against a very good team, but I think we did well. In any case better than last week (when they lost 4-0 to Arminia Bielefeld, ed.)”, said the striker.
PSV lineup
Benitez; Hoever (72. Sambo), Teze (60. Luckassen), Obispo (45. Vos), Max (72. Oppergard); Sangaré (45. Ledezma), Veerman (72. Van Ginkel), Simons (60. Tielemans); Madueke (76. Doudah), De Jong (60. Vertessen, 72. Bakayoko), Antonisse (60. Saibari)
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