PSV won 2-1 against AZ on Sunday afternoon. With that, it secured second place in the Eredivisie and therefore also at least a preliminary round of the Champions League. It thus closes a turbulent season on a positive note and can hope for quite a few extra millions this summer.
The fact that after an hour of football the most exciting moment was the score at FC Twente – Ajax, the home club leading there, said enough about the match between AZ and PSV. The pressure was on with the team from Eindhoven who, if Ajax won, had to take at least one point.
AZ played for a place higher in the ranking and therefore Europa League football. Then Ajax had to lose. Therefore, it seemed that both teams wanted to keep it at 0-0 as long as possible to see what would happen in Enschede.
Ajax behind
The few chances were mainly for AZ. Walter Benítez had to save twice on a shot by Vangelis Pavlidis and a shot by Tijani Reijnders went wide. Guus Til missed a good (head) chance at PSV. There was little to enjoy and that is why Ajax’s 2-1 deficit against FC Twente was widely announced on the boards in the stadium. The news was celebrated as if a goal had just been scored on the field in the AFAS Stadium.
After 65 minutes it was really hit. Out of the blue, Xavi Simons was sent off and he could only go to AZ goalkeeper Mathew Ryan. Face to face with the Alkmaar goalie, he managed to finish neatly: 0-1. All uncertainty at the Eindhoven club seemed to come to an end.
Equalizer
Nevertheless, PSV escaped the equalizer a few minutes later. Jesper Karlsson was able to play freely, but again Benitez made a good save. It was no longer exciting because Ajax was put on a 3-1 deficit, which led to a massive ‘nothing at all in Amsterdam’ chant. The result in Alkmaar was no longer important for PSV.
Ten minutes before the end it still became 1-1. Karlsson converted a penalty kick. For PSV it was all no longer important given the standings in Enschede. But if AZ won, it could still pass Ajax, something that the PSV supporters didn’t mind either.
Exciting final phase
Plenty happened in stoppage time. Anwar El Ghazi received a red card (after two yellows) and flares were lit in the away section. Meanwhile, AZ went on the hunt for victory. That didn’t happen anymore because it was Simons again who helped PSV to the lead. He made it 1-2 after which the game was also played.
After a turbulent season, PSV still finishes second and continues to have a view of the Champions League millions. It will play at least one preliminary round in August to reach the group stage. That hasn’t happened in the last two years. If it succeeds next summer, PSV can add tens of millions of euros. There must be a new trainer, because Ruud van Nistelrooij left this week. Fred Rutten, who sat on the bench on Sunday, also leaves.
READ ALSO:
Van Nistelrooij remains PSV after departure: ‘Will always support the club’
Ruud van Nistelrooij immediately leaves PSV, Fred Rutten takes over tasks