PSV took a big step toward the next preliminary round of the Champions League. They won 5-1 against Galatasaray SK at Philips Stadium. With three goals and an assist, Eran Zahavi played the leading role. Mario Götze accounted for the other two goals.
Dream start
In an atmospheric Philips Stadium, PSV shot out of the starting blocks. Already in the second minute, Eran Zahavi scored the opening goal. Galatasaray goalkeeper Fernando Muslera had a mediocre takeover that Zahavi could easily pick off. The striker coolly rounded for the 1-0. Within minutes, the score could have been doubled; Yorbe Vertessen was free to shoot but just missed the short corner. In the first few minutes, PSV kept up the pressure and gave away little control.
Strong play Madueke
Many PSV players took goal attempts. Besides Zahavi and Vertessen, André Ramalho also showed off with an acrobatic overhead kick that failed to find the net. Noni Madueke also distinguished himself. His dribbles were rarely keep up with the Turkish defense. The Englishman played a starring role in the second goal. In a wonderfully played-out attack, which Zahavi set up himself, Madueke managed to reach the Israeli striker. Zahavi did not fail and scored easily. A few minutes before the halftime signal, Galatasaray SK did something back. A header was not keepable for Joël Drommel: 2-1.
Captain Gakpo
PSV did not let this upset them and quickly scored the third goal in the second half, which was of great beauty. With a foot movement as simple as it was beautiful, Zahavi set Mario Götze free in front of goal, who shot hard and accurately into the cross. With PSV's first substitutions, Van Ginkel left the field. Cody Gakpo entered the lines, making his first minutes as captain. The Eindhoven native then immediately showed himself. After a quick dribble, he came up with a shooting chance of his own. However, pressure from the Turkish defense blocked the shot.
Wonderful night for Zahavi
In the final goal, the visitors got no further than a free kick taken too sharply. Then it was Zahavi's turn again. The striker completed his hat-trick in the closing stages, after Muslera again failed to make a strong save. Zahavi picked up the ball and put the 4-1 on the scoreboard. In the absolute closing stages, Götze also scored the fifth goal after a high header just failed to save Muslera. With that, PSV leave for Istanbul next week with a margin of four for the return game.
