PSV did good business in the upper reaches of the Eredivisie. Against Vitesse, head coach Roger Schmidt's team won 3-1. Substitutes Donyell Malen and Mario Götze turned the game around after halftime.
Formation change
Perhaps the biggest surprise in the Philips Stadium on Sunday afternoon took place not during but before the match. Against Vitesse, PSV started with a team changed in five positions, which also acted in a formation not played before (5-3-2). Among others, Philipp Max, Jordan Teze, Ryan Thomas, Mario Götze and Donyell Malen did not start. Those PSV players who did take the field quickly found themselves behind.
Messy
In a messy first half with mistakes on both sides, the only goal fell after only 3 minutes. Broja scored after a well-executed attack. That that turned out to be the only goal was a minor miracle. Eran Zahavi and Yorbe Vertessen both had great chances and Vitesse hit the post twice, once after VAR turned back a penalty kick for the Arnheimers. From the free kick awarded instead, first Yvon Mvogo saved handsomely and on the rebound the aluminum.
Conversions
At the beginning of the second half, Schmidt converted PSV. With Donyell Malen and Philipp Max in the squad, the Head Coach reverted to his 4-2-2-2 system, and after 15 minutes that conversion almost yielded the equalizer. Eran Zahavi got the ball from Denzel Dumfries, fired but was unlucky that Bazoer was in the way in front of the line. Five minutes later, Malen had more fortune. When the ball dodor Zahavi was laid out in front of him, he pulled the trigger and Malen left Pasveer defenseless: 1-1.
Double strike Götze
The attacking duo then had the chance to help PSV to more. Often the goal was on target, but Pasveer had an adequate response. Another substitute put things in order for PSV after all. Mario Götze, who came on for Vertessen after just under an hour, cleverly tapped a Malen cross into the goal in the 85th minute. Two minutes later he decided the match after a wide pass from Ryan Thomas, who was also substituted: 3-1.
