FC Barcelona too big for PSV Women

FC Barcelona too big for PSV Women
3 min

PSV Women lost 4-1 to FC Barcelona just like in the home match. The Catalans advance to the next round of the UWCL.

PSV Women started the return against FC Barcelona with one change in the base compared to the first UEFA Women's Champions League encounter, Melanie Bross for Romée Leuchter and Janou Level who moved up one line to midfield. PSV's attacking intentions, which applied driven pressure, were clear from the first whistle but it is FC Barcelona that opens the scoring in the4th minute. Graham took the first shot from the right flank effectively: 1-0. PSV was not visibly affected by the setback and dealt some pinpricks. The home team took the initiative but the defense prevented a second goal with some interventions by Nouwen and Van den Berg. It was sloppy ball loss by the defense that heralded FC Barcelona's second goal through Martens in the far corner: 2-0. Nouwen then shot narrowly past in a promising position, and Kuijpers aimed over from the played-out counter with Smits. The half-time score was the same as in Eindhoven, 2-0 for FC Barcelona.

After halftime, the game was the same with PSV hunting for an opening and FC Barcelona playing under the pressure. Kuijpers got a free pass towards goalkeeper Coll but her lob went over both the defense and connected attackers. Van Veenendaal then had to intervene frequently on shots from close range. A quick FC Barcelona breakout in the 61st minute then delivered the third goal via Grapham. In 75th minute the home team extended the lead to 4-0 through again Martens from a corner. Van Veenendaal prevented the fifth goal immediately thereafter with a resolute intervention. PSV fought for their last chances and just before time Smits scored a goal. The final score was 4-1, meaning that PSV's European debut in the round of 32 ended against FC Barcelona.

Lineup: van Veenendaal, Jean ('65 Coolen), van den Berg, Nouwen, Bross ('54 Van Dooren) , Levels, Harrison ('65 Foederer), Biesmans ('86 Snellenberg), van Schoonhoven, Kuijpers ('86 Brugts), Smits