PSV recorded their first win of 2021. In a wintry Rotterdam, the team was the strongest on a goal-rich evening: 3-5.
False start
After point losses against Ajax and AZ, PSV knew in advance that it could not afford a misstep against Sparta Rotterdam. However, the start was false at Het Kasteel. Early ball loss led to a goal in the4th minute. With a shot from distance, Smeets left goalkeeper Yvon Mvogo completely defenseless.
Helping newcomers
With the busy schedule in mind, Schmidt had made positive changes to his squad in four areas. Noni Madueke and Cody Gakpo made their return after injury, Timo Baumgartl and Mauro Junior kept Denzel Dumfries and Donyell Malen on the bench. Two of those newcomers took PSV by the hand in the 24th minute. With a header, Mauro promoted a Madueke cross into the equalizer.
Out of the starting blocks
PSV then tried to catch on on the rutted pitch in Rotterdam, but had little luck in the final stages. With a new ball (orange) after halftime, PSV did find that luck. Indeed, PSV shot out of the starting blocks. By the 48th minute, substitute Donyell Malen and Madueke, after good preparatory work by Pablo Rosario and Jordan Teze, had shot the team to a 1-3 lead.
Goal-rich final phase
PSV had the game firmly in its grasp and even went 1-4 through Philipp Max. The German shot his fifth Eredivisie goal from twenty meters. Subsequently, substitute Gravenberch left Mvogo defenseless for the second time this evening and brought the home club back to 2-4. Two minutes before time things got even more exciting when the Spartans took a penalty kick: 3-4. In injury time Malen put an end to all uncertainty: 3-5.
