The Eredivisie has started and PSV starts the campaign with three points. Heracles Almelo was the first opponent and that team was beaten 0-2.
Looking for rhythm
With a changed starting eleven, PSV kicked off the new season in Almelo. In the run-up to the game with Benfica, the necessary strengths were saved. Still, the team that was on hand performed well. The initiative was left to the home team in the opening stages, yet the defensive coordination was so strong that there was little room for Heracles Almelo. Led by captain André Ramalho, they kept the overview. However, it was the Almeloans who set the rhythm in the first few minutes.
Bruma again
PSV, despite the opposition's resistance, managed to regain the overview. First it was Davy Pröpper who tested Heracles goalkeeper Bucker with a distance shot. Then it was Yorbe Vertessen and Noni Madueke who were able to cut through the Overijssel defense with smooth moves. Still, it was not without danger. A quick breakout by Rai Vloet was hard to stop. The home team came up with a shot but Yvon Mvogo made a save. The deliverance was finally brought by Bruma. A very sharp pass from Pröpper put him in position to score. The Portuguese did not fail and shot through Bucker's legs into the net. His second goal in two games, after the goal against FC Midtjylland. Full of confidence from the goal, the striker made a second attempt. A fine shot into the far corner narrowly hit the post. With this lead the team went to the locker room.
Struggle
The second half started with a change. Mauro JR stayed behind in the locker room and was replaced by Mario Götze. The substitute showed himself right away. He delivered a neat pass in the sixteen-meter area to Jordan Teze who then shot across the goal. Still, Teze got on the match sheet, but with an assist instead of a goal. In the sixteen-meter area, the defender gave a very clever pass to Noni Madueke. The Englishman turned, shot and scored. 0-2 at the Erve Asito. Ramalho also saw the opportunities. Passed by Bruma, the captain made a fine goal attempt behind the standleg, but just failed to beat Bucker.
Invadersat work
In the final phase, the offensive line had changed completely. Madueke and Vertessen had left the field for Cody Gakpo and Eran Zahavi. It was Gakpo who almost scored shortly after coming onto the turf. After a great pass from Mario Götze, Gakpo was able to shoot from very close range; he pounced on Bucker in the process. The rebound fell to the feet of Ibrahim Sangaré but the Almelo goalkeeper was still in the way. A late boost came for Ryan Thomas. The New Zealander struggled with injury for a while but made his return to PSV. He came on for goal scorer Bruma. Without too much danger in the closing stages, the match ended. Three points to Eindhoven and a good start in the Eredivisie.
