PSV has done great things in the Champions League. The team of coach Peter Bosz spent half a week visiting Red Star on Tuesday evening. After that it became even more exciting, but the Eindhoven team survived: 2-3.
The pressure was on in advance for PSV, which had squandered its large lead in the Eredivisie. They lost to PEC Zwolle (3-1) last weekend, after which the reigning national champions were carefully talked into a crisis. This was immediately contradicted by Joey Veerman, but just before kick-off in Belgrade, Bosz was there to cause even more concerns for the supporters. His selection had been hit by a flu epidemic.
Ismael Saibari was missing in Serbia, for example. Malik Tillman too, but he’s injured. Richie Ledezma started as right back. He formed a flank with Johan Bakayoko. The Belgian was allowed to play because Ivan Perisic is not eligible to play in the Champions League. Together with Luuk de Jong and Noa Lang, he formed Bosz’s front line, who could make a major impact in the battle for a ticket for the intermediate round.
De Jong provides a dream start
In advance, PSV seemed to be in for a hot evening in Belgrade, but everyone who had counted on that was disappointed. The Eindhoven team held their own in the first half. Three times it was a prize after a corner kick from Veerman. Halfway through the first half, De Jong twice put his head against a great cross from the midfielder. That meant 0-1 and 0-2.
Flamingo from hero to schlemiel
Then it was Ryan Flamingo’s match. First in a positive sense, because just before half time the defender hit the ball hard into the goal: 0-3. Again after a corner from Veerman. Yet he also became the schlemiel, because after a light duel his direct opponent went to the ground. Breakthrough player, the arbitration ruled. And so a red card, PSV were allowed to continue with ten men for almost half.
Click on the text to see the video
-That turned out to be a turning point. Suddenly PSV, which until then had nothing to fear from the Serbs, found itself under pressure. Twenty minutes before the end things became even more dire. Cherif Ndiaye made it 1-3. And suddenly Nasser Djiga struck from a corner: 2-3. As a result, PSV suddenly faltered. The ten had difficulty staying on their feet, but Walter Benítez performed excellently on several occasions.
In the end, PSV was left hanging and strangling. As a result, Bosz was able to breathe a sigh of relief and PSV can now smell the interim round. Liverpool awaits next week, but a win no longer seems necessary for the Eindhoven team to survive in the Champions League.
Tap on the text to see the goals
Watch all our videos here
