In a game where PSV had the upper hand, the team forgot to reward itself. In Tilburg, it was 2-1 against Willem II.
Fierce start
In a full Koning Willem II Stadium, the hunt for three points began. It took less than five minutes before PSV already had great chances. Mario Götze, with a clever pass, put Phillipp Mwene in position to deliver a cross, which just lacked a foot to put it into the goal. Later, Ritsu Doan created a similar situation. This allowed Cody Gakpo to shoot and the rebound was for Ibrahim Sangaré, but no goal came. The Ivorian remained important with a spiky cross to the head of Eran Zahavi, the striker was able to head but the ball ended up in the hands of Willem II goalkeeper Wellenreuther. The home team had moments here and there, but there was an Eindhoven stamp on the big chances.
Zahavi
Against the odds, the opening goal fell to Willem II. From a free kick the ball landed on Eran Zahavi's head and curled unfortunate into his own goal. The Israeli was determined to make up for the moment. Thus, he came just a toe length short of a Philipp Max cross to make the equalizer. Zahavi's moment came after all. On a high cross from Max, the striker stormed toward the goal to head the ball in for the 1-1. The goal was not celebrated elaborately, as the striker collided heavily with Derrick Köhn during the action. Within moments, both players were back on their feet. With the match broken open, PSV continued to hunt for chances. For example, Sangaré came close after a fine cross from Gakpo. But at the halftime signal, the tie was still on the board.
Superiority
An unchanged PSV opened the search for goals in the second half. After Willem II lost the ball, it was Gakpo who almost had a great shooting chance, but was hindered at the last moment. From a corner kick, it was almost Marco van Ginkel again who made the difference with his head. The captain headed hard and low but Wellenreuther could just reach it. Max also got back into the game when he was played free by Olivier Boscagli. The left-back had to shoot from a difficult angle, came close, but saw his shot go just wide. There was not much threat from Willem II in this phase. But PSV's offensive superiority had to be rewarded.
Bad luck
Again a decisive moment fell against the game. Willem II came to a rare shooting chance and hit level. Joël Drommel initially blocked but the ball fell over his hands and into the goal. PSV had ten minutes to turn the tide. Carlos Vinícius and Maxi Romero were brought on for extra threat. The latter thus made his comeback. Both strikers managed to seize their moments and created shooting chances, but it did not bring a goal. As a final touch, substitute Bruma shot at goal, into the hands of Wellenreuther. The chances were not lacking, yet PSV lost for the second time this Eredivisie season.
