Before the start of PSV’s match against AZ, general manager Marcel Brands emphasized what the goals are this season. “We are going for the 26th national title, but we also want the highest possible achievement in the cup and Champions League.” The battle for the title has become a little more exciting after Saturday evening. PSV did not get further than 2-2 and therefore saw the gap with number two Ajax shrink to four points.
It was freezing in the Philips Stadium and PSV failed to provide some warmth during the first half. The score remained 0-0 for a long time, but that was a miracle given AZ’s dangerous moments. The visitors had two enormous chances after ten minutes, with the home team getting away well. First it was goalkeeper Walter Benitez with a great save on a Troy Parrott header, the Irish striker shot wide in front of an open goal on the rebound.
Great opportunities AZ
Six minutes later, Parrott had another huge chance. The attacker was unlucky that after a flowing attack his effort was saved in the nick of time by the sliding Richard Ledezma. The ball had not quite crossed the goal line and so PSV escaped. A few minutes later, the visitors again threatened, but Seiya Maikuma’s shot went just over.
After half an hour of play, PSV’s first real chance came. Ledezma served the free-standing Ismael Saibari from the right flank, who failed to hit the target with his header. The deserved 0-1 still came in the first half. Mayckel Lahdo passed two opponents from the left and beat Benitez with a shot into the far corner.
Successful substitutions
PSV coach Peter Bosz had every reason to make a substitution, but decided to let the same eleven players start the second half. Those changes only came after about 67 minutes, because the Eindhoven team still could not make an impression. With the introduction of Guus Til, Johan Bakayoko and Joey Veerman, there was immediate danger at the front. A minute later it was already 1-1 when Til broke through from the right and laid the ball perfectly for Luuk de Jong: 1-1.
AZ strikes
PSV smelled blood and went on the hunt for the 2-1. Veerman was close to an Eindhoven goal, but his shot went far over from a promising position. On the other hand, AZ did manage to score. Also a golden change for the Alkmaarders, because Mexx Meerdink was cold in the field when he headed a cross behind Benitez: 1-2.
De Jong again
By introducing Ricardo Pepi more than ten minutes before the end, Bosz hoped to force something. It was the other striker Luuk de Jong who brought his team level again in the 85th minute. This time from the penalty spot, after Makkelie had pointed to the spot due to a handball by Ruben van Bommel.
And so the match ended 2-2, with PSV being lucky to retain a point from the match. The first home defeat since November 12, 2022, also against AZ, was prevented, but Bosz must have been shocked by his team.
READ ALSO: Referee Peter Bosz sees freshness at PSV: ‘Now translate into action’
Morocco
Related News :