PSV escaped a second defeat in the main tournament of the Champions League. The Eindhoven team equalized in injury time in the second half of the away match against Olympiacos Piraeus. Substitute Ricardo Pepi scored in the 93rd minute.
After four matches, PSV has 5 points. The team of coach Peter Bosz plays the last four matches against Liverpool (away), Atlético Madrid (home), Newcastle United (away) and Bayern Munich (home). PSV must finish among the first 24 clubs to qualify for the intermediate round.
Difficult first half
PSV had a difficult time with the Greek champions in the first half. Trainer Peter Bosz stuck with the same players who ensured success in recent weeks, including against Napoli in the Champions League (6-2) and Feyenoord in the Eredivisie (2-3). Attacking midfielder Guus Til was allowed to try again as a striker.
Ismael Saibari, the standout player in the past period with many goals, pushed the ball into the goal in the twelfth minute. However, the Moroccan was well offside, meaning the goal was cancelled. Olympiacos had success in the seventeenth minute. Gelson Martins received the ball on the right side of the penalty area and shot hard and beautifully: 1-0.
Also read
At PSV everything starts with Jerdy Schouten – and everything ends up front with Ismael Saibari
After more than half an hour, Matej Kovar prevented a second goal. The goalkeeper saved on a hard shot through the middle by Lorenzo Pirola. PSV became dangerous one more time before half time. Saibari, on a pass from Dennis Man, was able to get close to the goal with his head just short of the ball.
Pepi and Driouech join in
Shortly after the break, Ivan Perisic, in a promising position, just missed turning the ball into the goal. Bosz intervened after an hour of play and brought striker Pepi into the team for Til and winger Couhaib Driouech replaced Man. Olympiacos almost doubled their lead. Fortunately, Martins got the ball at his feet after a messy situation and shot over the top of the crossbar.
Two new players joined the PSV team halfway through the second half: Esmir Bajraktarevic and Paul Wanner. Wanner was able to freely reach the edge of the penalty area in the 72nd minute, but his shot then lacked the right direction and speed.
Olympiakos seemed unable to give up the victory, until Pepi luckily got the ball at his feet via captain Jerdy Schouten: 1-1. (AP)
NEW: Give this item as a gift
As an NRC subscriber you can subscribe every month 10 articles give as a gift to someone without an NRC subscription. The recipient can read the article directly, without a paywall.