A much-changed PSV recorded a narrow victory over Sparta Rotterdam on Sunday night. Substitute Donyell Malen helped the team to the only goal of the match ten minutes before time: 1-0.
New team
Head coach Roger Schmidt chose an almost new team against Sparta. Compared to the games against FC Twente and PAOK, eight other PSV players started. So it was not that illogical that the 'new' team visibly had to get used to each other. After about ten minutes of play, PSV escaped arrears. Striker Thy easily got around the enthusiastic Lars Unnerstall, but failed to place the ball into an empty goal from about thirty meters.
Struggling
According to Schmidt, all the changes were necessary given the murderous schedule his team faces this month. PSV will play seven more times until December 22, and a number of 'regulars' are physically near the limit. Their replacements, however, struggled with Sparta, which retreated, kept the spaces small and lurked for a counterattack. That approach to play ensured that PSV failed to create any danger before halftime.
Invaders
After ten minutes in the second half, PSV upped the tempo. Goalkeeper Okoye was put to work by Eran Zahavi and Adrian Fein. The latter's effort in particular deserves a mention. The German subtly looked for the far cross, but only just saw Okoye get a hand behind his effort. Immediately after, Schmidt brought on Donyell Malen, Noni Madueke and Cody Gakpo, who were not fit enough to start.
Malen worth his weight in gold
One of them helped PSV eventually take the lead. Twelve minutes before time, Malen was awarded a penalty kick after Nick Viergever was brought down. The striker missed at first, but shot the rebound against the ropes: 1-0. Shortly before time, Sparta came very close to an equalizer. To the relief of the PSV players, substitute Gravenberch shot hard over from close range.
The 1-0 win lifted PSV to third place in the Eredivisie on Sunday (23 points). The team is still four points behind leaders Ajax and has two points less than Vitesse.
