PSV misses a chance at the first European semi-final since 2005

PSV failed to reach the semi-finals of a European club tournament for the first time since 2005. The Eindhoven team stranded on Thursday in the quarterfinals of the Conference League. PSV led for a long time in the home game against Leicester City, but still lost in the final phase: 1-2

With the elimination from the Conference League, PSV’s long European trip came to an end. The team of trainer Roger Schmidt started in the Champions League in the summer, but just failed to make it to the main tournament in the play-offs against Benfica. One level lower, in the Europa League, PSV did not survive the group stage. In the Conference League, PSV was seen as an important title candidate, but this prize is also missed by the people from Brabant.

PSV, which reached the semi-finals of the Champions League with coach Guus Hiddink in 2005, has only a short time to process this disappointment. On Sunday Ajax awaits in the final of the KNVB Cup. With five games to go, PSV is 4 points behind the team from Amsterdam in the competition.

Special shirts

Schmidt had to adjust his team in two positions on Thursday. French defender Olivier Boscagli suffered a serious knee injury in the league match against RKC Waalwijk (2-0) on Sunday and will be sidelined for months. The PSV players entered the field with special shirts to show their support for Boscagli, who was replaced by Jordan Teze. Noni Madueke was missing with a muscle injury. Joey Veerman started in his right front position.

Leicester, the number 9 from England, got the first chance. Jonny Evans headed over from Wesley Fofana from a free kick. PSV reacted quickly. After fifteen minutes of play, Kasper Schmeichel saved with a good reflex on an attempt by Mario Götze.

88th minute

The Danish goalkeeper looked less happy moments later. After Youri Tielemans lost the ball, Eran Zahavi shot the ball in from a difficult angle in the 27th minute: 1-0. Teze prevented Leicester from coming alongside before half-time by clearing the ball just before the line.

Leicester pushed PSV back more and more as the second half progressed. James Maddison silenced the sold-out Philips stadium in the 77th minute by shooting the ball hard. Extra time seemed imminent, but Leicester scored again in the 88th minute via Ricardo Pereira.