PSV received an opponent at Philips Stadium for the last time this season. N.E.C. was the opponent at the conclusion of the season at home. They won 3-2 against the Nijmegen side. PSV ends the season in second place in the Eredivisie. The final league game is scheduled for Sunday.
Bastion
For the last time this season, they kicked off on the green carpet of the Philips Stadium. The team wanted to make the crowd jump one more time before the end of the football season. With fire in his feet, it was Philipp Max who took the first shot after good work by Ibrahim Sangaré and Cody Gakpo. A few minutes later, winger Ritsu Doan found himself in a similar situation. N.E.C goalkeeper Mattijs Branderhorst notched his first save of the match, but he would have to step in often. PSV displayed frivolous attacking play and hunted for the ball when it was in the Nijmegen players' possession. The team played freely and looked for space in the N.E.C bastion.
Cannonball
N.E.C showed toughness in defense, but Ritsu Doan eventually managed to break through first. Noni Madueke couldn't keep up with the Nijmegen defense and cut through. A few meters away, he saw Doan standing unprotected. The Japanese was played the ball perfectly into his feet. With a placed shot into the corner, he passed Branderhorst and made the stadium cheer. Erick Gutiérrez decided to follow Doan's example. The Mexican also shot from distance and he rattled the ball mercilessly into the cross: 2-0. After this cannonball, the supporters cheered Guti even more.
Played out
With hope still in its legs, N.E.C. rushed Yvon Mvogo, but the goalkeeper got in the way with cat-like reflexes. A very impressive save. At the other end of the pitch, PSV did not sit still. It was up to Zahavi to make it 3-0, but the Nijmegen goalkeeper got in the way. With a fine pass, Bruma, who replaced Madueke after halftime, put Gakpo alone in front of the goal. The Eindhoven-born tried to get past the goalkeeper with a slide, but the ball hit the net. After his earlier attempt, Zahavi was now on target. The striker set up the attack himself and combined well with Max, who delivered a razor-sharp cross. Zahavi did not hesitate and shot the ball into the far corner. With that, the striker scored his 20th goal of the season across all competitions.
Duty done
The Nijmegen players did not leave it at that and scored a counter goal out of nowhere. PSV reacted fiercely to this and quickly tried to do something back. Zahavi and Gakpo went close after a good combination. Yet the visitors, via a penalty, came right back into the game. Yet it was not noticeable on the pitch. PSV was constantly on the ball, created chances and still dared to play with a lot of space in the back. At the back, on the contrary, they were no longer in danger at all. In the end, PSV held their own and tallied three points in the last home game of the season. The result in Amsterdam puts the team in second place in the Eredivisie.
