The report

PSV had a slight advantage throughout the match, but could not convert this advantage into goals. Sparta created most of the danger with fast breakaways, but the home club did not score either, so both teams had to share the points.

PSV got off to an energetic start, forcing Sparta into defense from the kickoff. PSV had several opportunities in the early stages, but they were not taken. After ten minutes Sparta got into the game a little better without really becoming dangerous. The first real opportunity for PSV was in the 16th minute. A good cross from Matteo Dams could just not be worked into the goal by the PSV attackers. Sparta had a good chance in the 18th minute after a quick breakaway, but the effort went over the goal. PSV was inaccurate in their passing which meant that good opportunities could not be converted into real chances. In the last ten minutes of the first half, PSV had two good opportunities to take the lead. First a shot was denied by the Sparta goalie and a free kick went just over. On the stroke of halftime, both teams had chances to score. A PSV attack was beaten twice and a shot from Jesper Uneken was turned away by the Sparta goalie. In the following counterattack by Sparta, the cross was headed against the post by a Sparta player.

In the second half, the play was no different from the first half. PSV was diligently looking for a goal and Sparta was threatening with fast breakaways. In the 42nd minute, PSV was close to an opening goal. A cross from Shi-jon Martina was cleared by a Sparta defender just before the goal line. PSV had two more free kicks, but the first went wide and the second was turned away by the Sparta goalkeeper. With both teams making too many mistakes, there were not really many clear-cut chances on either side. In the last ten minutes of the match, PSV went all out to get the lead. PSV got some opportunities to do so, but they were not exploited either. In injury time, PSV was still close to a goal, but PSV did not manage to score in this match. The final score was 0-0.

Lineup: Kjell Peersman, Julian Kuijpers, Luc Netten, Yaël Gil y Muinos (36' Sven Simons), Matteo Dams, Livano Comenencia, Iggy Houben, Milan Govaers, Jesper Uneken (36' Shi-jon Martina), Chahid el Allachi, Ruben van Bommel (50' Jaivy Lourens).