PSV failed to reach the last sixteen in the UEFA Europa League. Head coach Roger Schmidt's team scored twice in a strong first half, but had to give way in the absolute closing stages. One goal was enough for Olympiacos FC.
On the attack
At the Philips Stadium, PSV, where Olivier Boscagli was making his comeback, went on the attack early in the match. After about 10 minutes of probing, Schmidt's team took the initiative and the first opportunities came. In the 10th minute, Eran Zahavi fired a first warning shot, which was followed not too much later by opportunities for Donyell Malen.
Zahavi shines
The further the first half progressed, the greater the pressure on the Olympiacos FC goal became, and after 23 minutes, PSV was rewarded. Where Zahavi's first attempt was not yet between the posts, his second was. The Israeli wriggled free from a corner kick and nodded in. On the stroke of halftime, he would no doubt have made a full Philips Stadium explode with joy. This time he was allowed to take a free kick after a foul on the strong playing Boscagli and drove the ball devastatingly into the cross: 2-0.
Double
Knowing that that score would be enough to reach the next round in the Europa League, PSV faced a difficult choice after halftime: hunt for the third goal or instead defend the advantage? Also because the Greeks logically pressed after halftime - and consequently hit the post in the 50th minute - it became more or less a mixture of both.
Hassan plunges PSV into mourning
The game ended up being a huge disappointment for the struggling PSV, which hit the post through Malen deep in the second half. Substitute Hassan found the goal. After first Yvon Mvogo saved the ball, the Egyptian shot the rebound: 2-1. The injury time that followed was too short to unleash a final offensive.
