PSV failed to qualify for the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League. Coach Phillip Cocu's team fought for every meter against Atlético Madrid on Tuesday and eventually capitulated only after taking penalty kicks. Luciano Narsingh was the only one to miss in a 16 penalty-counting series.
Zoet saves
Whereas the Vicente Calderón was already churning before the match began, after a quarter of an hour in which PSV had already held out handsomely, the sound of the supporters only really soured when Griezmann appeared face to face with Zoet. The Frenchman found space between the back central trio of Bruma, Moreno and Isimat, was free to strike, but as in Eindhoven, Zoet prevented an early Spanish goal with a cat-like reflex. As the first half progressed, Cocu's battle plan with a three-man defense and two free flanks proved to be the right choice. PSV played well despite the clearly audible Atlético supporters, combining cleverly at times and even going close to the 0-1 in the 28th minute. De Jong, after a lightning-fast attack through him and Van Ginkel, came a toe-length or three short of turning an intervention by goalkeeper Oblak into a goal. Shortly before halftime, Atlético went on a second offensive, but just as in the opening stages, PSV held firm.
Jetro Willems lasted 75 minutes at Estadio Vicente Calderón | © Pics United
Pole stands in PSV's way
After Atlético continued to search PSV's goal in the first minutes of the second half, Cocu's team created the best chance of the match in a counter attack. Locadia was cleverly set free via Pröpper and Guardado, cut inside and then hit the post with his shot. De Jong was then attentive, nodding toward an empty goal, but this time the ball found the head of an opponent in its path. Nevertheless, the signal made such an impression on Atlético that they became increasingly cautious. Shortly before time, Torres came through dangerously, but once again Zoet, who was an excellent keeper, prevented a goal.
Goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet cleverly kept PSV on their toes on several occasions | © Pics United
Penalty series fatal
Thus, after 180 minutes of football, there was still no goal on a score sheet. In the extension that followed, the first good opportunity fell to the home team. From a corner kick Hernández headed hard over. In the meantime, PSV noticed that their way of fighting had cost them strength. While the team appeared in front of Oblak regularly in the second half, it only did so sporadically in extra time. It gambled on a possible penalty series. One that did come and, like both games, reverberated with tension. It wasn't until the fifteenth penalty kick that things went wrong. Narsingh hit the crossbar, then Juanfran shot Atlético into the quarterfinals.
Joshua Brenet consoles Luciano Narsingh, who just here missed PSV's eighth penalty kick | © Pics United