PSV earn first Dutch point in Europe this season with 1-1 draw against Bayer Leverkusen
PSV picked up a draw against Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday in the UEFA Champions League. A goal from Ismael Saibari canceled out the opener from Christian Kofane to ensure that the final score was 1-1 in the BayArena in Leverkusen.
It was the first point that the Dutch side had picked up in European competition this season at the sixth attempt. PSV lost to Belgian side Royale Union Saint Gilloise last week, Ajax (x2), Feyenoord, FC Utrecht, and Go Ahead Eagles also lost their games in Europe thus far.
PSV started the game with Guus Til in the striker position. Til, a midfielder, was forced to play there due to the absences of Ricardo Pepi, Myron Boadu, and Alassane Plea.
It was almost a perfect start for PSV when they scored in the opening stages. A cross to the far post from Dennis Man was headed into the net by Ivan Perisic, but the Croatian winger was inches offside.
Leverkusen came close to breaking the deadlock a few minutes later. Left back Alejandro Grimaldo hit a shot from an acute angle, which cannoned off the post.
Malik Tillman, who joined Leverkusen from PSV last summer, almost scored against his former side in the 24th minute. The U.S. midfielder was played in by Grimaldo, but his effort was saved by Matej Kovar.
A huge error from PSV ensured that Leverkusen took the lead in the 65th minute. Jerdy Schouten played a pass to center back Armando Obispo in PSV’s box from around a meter away. This put Obispo in trouble, and his panicked attempt at a clearance fell straight to Christian Kofane, who finished the chance, becoming Bayer Leverkusen’s youngest-ever goalscorer in the Champions League in the process.
Peter Bosz’s side equalized in the 72nd minute. Til played a pass to Ismael Saibari, who had come on as a substitute at halftime, and the Moroccan did everything right, with a fantastic touch setting up the finish, which was curved into the far corner.
It was close to becoming another loss for the Eindhovenaren. The home side had bundled their way through the PSV defense with the usually reliable finisher Grimaldo given the chance to score, but his effort was well-saved by Kovar, who also saved his team a point in the process.
The point puts PSV in 27th place after two games in the league phase of the competition. Their next match in the Champions League is at home against Napoli on 21 October.
