PSV fell short of a 1-1 draw against Heracles Almelo. The first points loss this season brings the team to 7 points from three games. A report.
Little danger
On the artificial turf in Overijssel, it took a while for the match to get going. PSV, which had changed a few positions in recent games, had the upper hand, but hardly succeeded in converting opportunities in the first quarter of the game. Coach Roger Schmidt's team got no further than a shot and a pass from Bruma that was just too sharp.
Question marks over goal
Despite PSV hardly giving anything away at the other end, they found themselves trailing after half an hour. Nick Viergever, one of four newcomers to the squad, worked the ball away with his shoulder, but was surprised to see referee Kamphuis point to the spot for alleged hands. The referee was not contradicted by VAR and noted that former PSV player Rai Vloet left goalkeeper Yvon Mvogo defenseless: 1-0. PSV, still without Eran Zahavi, upped the tempo, but failed to respond quickly.
Equalizer Max after Schmidt intervened
With a triple substitution midway through, Schmidt did try to force that response after halftime. With Ryan Thomas, Donyell Malen and Noni Madueke in place of Mo Ihattaren, Michal Sadilek and Mauro Junior, it soon followed as well. It was the agile Englishman who was floored in the sixteen, and this time Philipp Max found the net from the spot: 1-1.
Tactical jousting
PSV failed to press after that. The system that Heracles coach Wormuth had devised could not be disrupted enough by the team. In particular, the three central defenders playing compactly together closed off many pass routes. Just before time Malen slipped through, but his effort was turned away.
