PSV won 3-1 against SC Heerenveen on Sunday, thanks in part to a goal from former Heerenveen player Joey Veerman. After a very mediocre first half, in which Erick Gutiérrez also retired, the Eindhoven team put things in order in the second half.
The proverb ‘with hanging and strangling’ could once again be taken out of the closet at PSV. Where the result might suggest otherwise, it was anything but an easy game for the people of Eindhoven. Especially in the first half it did not give home in front of its own audience.
System
PSV’s start was still good. Within fifteen minutes, Roger Schmidt’s team took the lead. It was Noni Madueke who got the ball by luck and shot in hard. PSV started the match without a striker. Again Schmidt opted for a vanguard with Cody Gakpo, Mario Götze and Madueke.
The system was also pulled out against AZ and Ajax, the only two matches that PSV lost this year. Even now this arrangement did not seem to work out well. Because without real target man went on to give the home team cool crosses: high balls that the defenders of Heerenveen could easily head away.
Despite the early lead, PSV did not continue and the visitors simply stayed upright. In fact, they were level before half time. After Heerenveen had already missed some opportunities, it was Tibor Halilovic who put the Frisians next to PSV. That was not even undeserved.
The murmuring in the stands increased. The home team created no more chances after the opening goal. In addition, just before half-time Erick Gutiérrez had left the field on a stretcher. He was injured in a duel. Due to the failure of the midfielder, the German coach Schmidt resorted to a real striker: Carlos Vinícius joined the team.
Relief
Anyone who thought it couldn’t get any worse for PSV was disappointed. In the second half, Schmidt was forced to substitute Cody Gakpo and Noni Madueke. Many supporters feared that they would lose points, but luckily they were quickly reassured.
The very first attack after the break was a hit. Götze was able to pull out from the edge of sixteen and with a bit of luck shot the ball past the Heerenveen goalie: 2-1. Less than five minutes later it was Joey Veerman who dealt the final blow to his old team. After a nice combination between Götze and substitute Ritsu Doan, he was allowed to take a free shot. With the 3-1 lead, PSV had a safe margin that was no longer in danger. Also because Mauro Júnior managed to get a ball off the line five minutes before the end.
The win keeps PSV in second place. He lost it for a few hours, because Feyenoord won from Cambuur earlier in the day. The gap to leader Ajax remains five points.