PSV moved one step closer to the UEFA Europa League group stage on Thursday night. Head coach Roger Schmidt's team defeated NS Mura in Slovenia and needs only one more match win to secure six group matches.
Domper Romero, Max enables Malen to score
In Slovenia, a PSV side that had changed three positions started industriously, but soon suffered a major setback. After less than ten minutes, Maxi Romero, in the starting line-up for the first time since his arrival from Vélez Sarsfield, had to be replaced by Cody Gakpo due to injury. From the sidelines, the hapless Argentine saw his teammates take the lead soon after his outburst through Donyell Malen. The PSV striker nodded a sharply cut free kick from Philipp Max behind goalkeeper Obradovic in the 17th minute.
Mauro quickly equalizes
After a quick equalizer from NS Mura, PSV owed it to the perseverance of Mauro Junior that they still had the lead at halftime. The Brazilian put the ball over the line in two instances after just under half an hour, after Max again played a leading role in the attack that preceded his goal. The German left back kept the overview after a rush on the left and enabled De Brazilian to press: 1-2.
Gakpo and Malen put the game away
That the Slovenians did not just resign themselves to elimination was evident in the first minute after halftime. A great reflex from goalkeeper Yvon Mvogo prevented a quick equalizer. At the hands of Gakpo, NS Mura's ambitions came to an end. The substitute promoted a cross from Bruma to a goal after 54 minutes: 1-3. Ten minutes later, Malen made it 1-4, allowing PSV to easily finish the game. Gakpo provided the final chord: 1-5.
Rosenborg opponent
With the win, PSV qualified for the UEFA Europa League playoff. The club will take on Rosenborg in exactly one week from now. That team was too strong for Alanyaspor on Thursday night. Just like against NS Mura, PSV plays an away match. Should they win, Schmidt's team will qualify for the group stage.
Setup
Mvogo; Dumfries, Teze, Boscagli, Max; Mauro, Thomas(Sadliek/68), Rosario, Bruma; Malen(Madueke/85), Romero(Gakpo/9)
