The report

PSV suffered a heavy defeat (4-1) in the away match against FC Utrecht. Contrary to what the result suggests, PSV was the dominant side for almost the entire match. However, PSV created few chances and the opportunities were poorly played.

From the beginning of the match, PSV did not let the home club get into their game. This produced several opportunities in the first five minutes of the match, but just as often these opportunities did not lead to real chances. The first chance of the match for the home club immediately meant a goal. In the seventh minute, PSV mishandled the ball, after which a Utrecht player was able to pick it up. With a hard shot he scored the 1-0. PSV was not upset by this early deficit and went in search of the equalizer. However, the home club backed off, let PSV play and waited for PSV to make mistakes. This tactic earned the home club two goals in two minutes. In the 18th minute, PSV lost the ball, allowing an Utrecht player to get free in front of the PSV goalie. He rounded the goalkeeper but was hit and fell. The awarded penalty kick was taken, 2-0. In the 20th minute a player of the home club played himself free and scored the 3-0. The picture did not change, Utrecht went down and PSV played the game. PSV played the various opportunities poorly, however, so the home club hardly had any problems.

From the beginning of the second half, PSV put pressure on the home club. After three minutes, PSV had a good chance to score, but twice PSV failed to capitalize on this opportunity as well. The game was mainly played in the home club's half and Utrecht was only dangerous with sporadic breakdowns. In the ^45th minute a Utrecht breakaway yielded another goal. An Utrecht player was played the ball into the PSV penalty area and was able to shoot unhindered, 4-0. PSV tried to do something back but the various chances (a nice curve ball could be tapped out of the goal by the Utrecht goalie, a PSV free kick went just wide and a cross was too hard) were not exploited. The PSV players lacked conviction, however, and the chances could not be converted into goals. Two minutes before time Ruben van Bommel managed to tap in the 4-1 but this goal was only for the statistics. A flattered victory for the home team but that was also thanks to PSV that gave away the goals very easily.

Setup: Niek Schiks (36' Kjell Peersman), Julian Kuijpers (36' Immanuel Hagemans), Luc Netten, Matteo Dams, Sven Simons, Livano Comenencia, Iggy Houben, Milan Govaers, Jesper Uneken (36' Shi-jon Martina), Chahid el Allachi, Jaivy Lourens (36' Ruben van Bommel).