PSV produce a masterclass to thrash Napoli 6-2 in UEFA Champions League
PSV put in a magnificent performance to demolish Napoli at home in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday. The Eindhovenaren beat the Italian champions 6-2 with goals from Ismael Saibari, Dennis Man (2), Couhaib Driouech, Ricardo Pepi, and an own goal from Alessandro Buongiorno.
It is the first time that a Dutch side has scored six goals in a Champions League or Europa Cup (as it was formerly known) match since Ajax did so against Omonia Nicosia in 1979.
A late change to the PSV lineup was made by manager Peter Bosz, with Sergino Dest getting demoted to the bench due to the fact that he was late. He was replaced by Ryan Flamingo, who is usually a center back, and Jerdy Schouten moved to the center back position.
Dennis Man forced Napoli keeper Sergay Milinkovic-Savic into his first save in the 10th minute. The Romanian played a one-two with Ismael Saibari before attempting to surprise the Serb with a low effort into the near corner. Milinkovic-Savic knocked it wide for a corner, which also resulted in a chance as Guus Til headed over from inside the box.
Another corner from Joey Veerman resulted in another significant chance a short while later, but Flamingo put his unmarked header into the side netting of the goal.
Napoli took the lead on the half-hour mark. Leandro Spinazzola did well to gain space for the cross, which was chipped in to Scott McTominay, and the midfielder did the rest, guiding his header into the goal via the arm of Matej Kovar.
PSV struck back four minutes later. A cross from Ivan Perisic was headed into the Napoli goal by their defender Alessandro Buongiorno.
The Eindhovenaren took the lead in the 38th minute. Til got to the ball before Buongiorno, who was the last man, which gave Saibari a ton of space to run towards goal, and the Moroccan midfielder did not fail with his finish, making it 2-1 to Bosz’s side.
The home side got their third goal in the 54th minute. Mauro Junior dribbled past Buongiorno to reach the byline before his chipped pass across the goal was knocked into the net by Man.
It got even harder for the team from Naples in the 76th minute when former Ajax striker Lorenzo Lucca was sent off after tapping his head in response to a decision made by referee Daniel Siebert. The German was offended by this gesture and brandished the red card in response.
Man got his second of the night to make it 4-1 in the 80th minute. The winger cut inside onto his favored left foot and smashed a shot past Milinkovic-Savic, who had his sight obstructed by his defenders in the box.
Napoli got another goal in the 86th minute. Another former Ajax player, David Neres, swung in a cross and McTominay rose higher than Armando Obispo to head home his second goal of the game.
However, this scoreline did not last long. PSV restored their three-goal lead straight from kick off when Veerman played a magnificent through ball to Couhaib Driouech, who unselfishly played it across to Ricardo Pepi to tap home.
Driouech was able to get himself on the scoresheet a few minutes later with an absolutely sublime goal. Five PSV players played a one-touch pass before the Moroccan took one touch and hit it hard and high over Milinkovic-Savic from around 25 yards.
PSV has moved up to 11th in the Champions League after the win. Napoli have dropped to 22nd. The Eindhovenaren will now be focused on their hugely important game against Eredivisie league leaders Feyenoord on Sunday.
