Missed opportunities cost PSV in 3-2 Champions League defeat against Atletico Madrid

PSV suffered their second loss in the UEFA Champions League this season on Tuesday, losing 3-2 against Atletico Madrid. Peter Bosz's side had plenty of chances in the first half to extend their lead, which proved costly as the Spaniards came back into the game in the second half.

With six matches played, Peter Bosz’s side remain stuck on 8 points. Their final fixtures in January, at Newcastle United and at home against Bayern Munich, are now crucial if they hope to reach the play-off phase, reserved for teams finishing 9 through 24. For comparison, Club Brugge ended last season’s campaign in 24th place with 11 points.

Bosz opted for a bold approach by starting Paul Wanner and Couhaib Driouech on the wings. Dennis Man and striker Ricardo Pepi both moved to the bench, while Ivan Perisic returned to the squad but was not ready to start.

Driouech, who had scored off the bench in the big wins over Napoli and Liverpool, made his mark again, this time by creating PSV’s opener. Joey Veerman released him with a precise through pass, and the Moroccan winger broke free from Nahuel Molina before squaring the ball to Guus Til for a straightforward finish and a 1-0 lead.

He nearly scored himself shortly afterward, but mis-timed his shot against Jan Oblak. Atlético weathered PSV’s bright start and saw Alexander Sørloth head wide in the 24th minute. Driouech failed to capitalize minutes later when he attempted another pass to Til instead of shooting, allowing Atlético to clear.

Just before halftime, Atlético drew level. Yarek Gasiorowski lost possession after a pass from Matej Kovar, and Sørloth set up Julián Álvarez to make it 1-1.

Atlético flipped the match early in the second half. Kovar stopped a long-range effort, but former Feyenoord defender David Hancko reacted quickest to the rebound for 1-2. The setback deepened in the 56th minute when Pablo Barrios broke through and delivered a precise cross that Sørloth nodded in for 1-3.

Ricardo Pepi pulled one back in the 85th minute, but Armando Obispo squandered a last-minute chance to rescue a point.