PSV have managed to keep a result from the first meeting with AS Monaco in the group stage of the Champions League. The Eindhoven team defended a 0-1 lead for a long time thanks to a goal by Joey Veerman. In the final phase, the Monegasques came alongside and it was 1-1.
The interests of this game were clear to everyone: the first step towards Champions League qualification. The opening phase of the game was sleep-inducing with no real chances for either team. On a positive note, PSV looked a lot more stable defensively than against Ajax. On the other hand, the attacking game was sloppy. Many simple things went wrong with the people of Eindhoven. For example, ‘Supercup hero’ Guus Til needed twice as much time to choose the right attack options.
It was only in the 22nd minute that the first real danger of the match could be noted, in favor of PSV. A fine attack came from Joey Veerman. In a promising position, the midfielder placed the ball next to the goal. PSV gradually had nothing to fear from AS Monaco during the first half. The people of Eindhoven themselves kept lurking for opportunities.
Excellent goal
That opportunity came in the 37th minute: Luuk de Jong was played by Til in the sixteenth minute. The tall striker kept two defenders busy and placed the ball perfectly in front of the storming Joey Veerman. From the edge of sixteen, the midfielder shot the ball hard into the right corner with his left foot.
There was nothing more to say about the lead. PSV played mature and continued to control the match until the break. The 450 PSV fans, who had traveled to Monaco, had little to complain about.
Difficult second half
Where the PSV defense barely gave anything away in the first half, it was released shortly after the break. Monaco striker Takumi Minamino suddenly appeared free in front of Walter Benítez’s goal, because Philipp Max was not paying attention. One minute later, the same Max offered Guus Til the opportunity to make it 0-2. Til miraculously got the ball over the goal.
The Eindhoven defense had a much harder time in the second half and started to falter more and more after about an hour of football. PSV was also sloppy when it came to playing out counters. Kevin Volland and Wissam Ben Yedder could have hurt Ruud van Nistelrooij’s team.
After a phase in which PSV had gotten away well a number of times, it was able to enjoy itself in the 72nd minute. Cody Gakpo took a pass from Veerman excellently and served Saibari. The youngster, who was allowed to start in the base, pushed the ball painfully slowly past the post and PSV failed to shoot at roses.
Surviving in the final phase
The miss cost the people of Eindhoven dearly. Because shortly afterwards, Axel Disasi equalized for the home team. A free kick that got stuck in the box was blocked by the defender. The final phase was a squeeze for PSV.
Physically, Van Nistelrooij’s team had a hard time in the final phase. By hanging and strangling the Eindhoven residents remained upright. PSV even escaped after Monaco hit the post from very close.
PSV held their ground in extra time, leaving the team with a good result for the home game, which will be Tuesday next week.