PSV won 1-0 at RKC. In an attractive game, a goal from Johan Bakayoko was enough to take the three points to Eindhoven. PSV can therefore continue to dream about the title.
The only Brabant get-together in the Eredivisie was very attractive. RKC, the surprising number eight in the ranking, made it difficult for PSV, which is disappointing fourth.
Juriën Gaari was able to give the home team the lead after just a few minutes. It was a warning that PSV took seriously, because after that the team from Eindhoven took the initiative.
Injury De Jong
By the minute the pressure increased and goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen had to manifest himself more and more often. The RKC goalie did that more than excellently. The Breda native just didn’t have an answer to a volley from Johan Bakayoko. From a scrimmage, the ball landed at the feet of the Belgian who did not hesitate and shot the 1-0 hard.
The game turned in the second half. RKC had two great chances through Thierry Lutonda and Michiel Kramer and chased the equalizer. Where Luuk de Jong was injured at PSV, Joseph Oosting’s team went full on the attack with four attackers in the field.
And so RKC also continued to get opportunities. Former PSV player Florian Jozefzoon got the biggest one fifteen minutes before the end after Julian Lelieveld was given all the time and space to give a cross. PSV played very mediocre football against that and hardly became dangerous in the second half.
Glimmer of hope
It squeaked and creaked at PSV, but it survived. Thanks to the victory in Waalwijk, the Eindhoven team still has a glimmer of hope for the title. It saw Feyenoord and AZ win earlier this weekend. The difference with the leader from Rotterdam is six points. SC Cambuur awaits in-house next week.
RKC has an away game against Go Ahead Eagles scheduled for next week. Players and staff of the Waalwijk formation had the feeling that there could have been more. “You make it very difficult for a top club like PSV,” said trainer Joseph Oosting afterwards. “I didn’t think we were strong in the first half, but if you see the chances in the second half, we usually score a goal. Unfortunately not today.”
The trainer on the other hand could only be satisfied after the first away win of 2023. Ruud van Nistelrooij: “Of course that’s in your head. But today I saw a team that knew we had to win to keep in touch. We did that done, so a successful afternoon.”
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