PSV lose 2-1 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League play off against Juventus
PSV lost the first leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off tie against Juventus on Tuesday night. A late winning goal from Samuel Mbangula gave the home team the win in the Allianz Arena after Ivan Persic had leveled the match for PSV. The Eindhovenaren will play the second leg at home in the Philips stadium next week Wednesday.
Ivan Perisic started the match for PSV. It was the Croatian’s first appearance in European competition for the Eindhovenaren as he had been ineligible for the first phase. Richard Ledezma was also given a starting spot, resulting in Johan Bakayoko and Tyrell Malacia starting on the bench.
PSV had lost 3-0 in this exact fixture early this season, and the way Juventus started made it seem like the same could happen again. Timothy Weah was creating a lot of danger down the right flank with his pace and direct running.
However, Peter Bosz’s team was able to weather this early storm, and almost took the lead in the 19th minute. A cross from Joey Veerman found Luuk de Jong at the far post, and his header across goal was nearly met by Ryan Flamingo.
The game was even until a mistake by Veerman was punished to give Juventus the lead. The midfielder’s pass was risky, and it was intercepted by Federico Gatti. The defender kept running with the ball before smashing a hard, low cross into the box. Benitez was able to stop the first effort from Randall Kolo Muani from going in. Still, he was powerless to stop the thunderbolt from Weston McKennie seconds later, resulting in the 1-0 for the home team.
Juventus had another chance to score in the 40th minute. Benitez’s punch from a cross did not go far, and this gave Nico Gonzalez a chance to aim a header toward goal. However, the attempt was an easy save for Benitez.
Weah showed his qualities again in the opening stages of the second half when he sprinted past two PSV players before finding Mbangula in the box. His shot was going in, but Ryan Flamingo headed it away before it found the net.
Perisic made the perfect start to his European campaign for PSV by scoring a terrific equalizer in the 55th minute. The Croatian winger controlled a high before putting it on his left foot and hitting it hard into the near corner.
The match seemed to be going to a draw, with very few chances being created by either team until the 82nd minute when Thiago Motta’s team got the winner. Former Ajax winger Francisco Conceicao dribbled past his marker before his cross was palmed out by Benitez straight to Mbangula, who could not miss. His goal made it 2-1, which was also the final score.
It is not the worst result for PSV, who will be hoping to turn the tie around at home next week. First, they play a vital home match against FC Utrecht on Saturday. Bosz’s team lost the first spot in the league to Ajax last weekend.
