PSV has a good general for the first meeting with Galatasaray next week in the second preliminary round of the Champions League. The formation of trainer Roger Schmidt was too strong for PAOK Saloniki on Wednesday evening: 1-0. Noni Madueke was the match winner in the rainy Philips Stadium in the 25th minute. Schmidt made a quiet change during PSV’s exhibition game with the Greeks.
The home team had an energetic start to the exhibition game. There were opportunities in the early stages for Yorbe Vertessen, Madueke and Eran Zahavi. However, the possibilities were not spent on the PSV trio. Halfway through the first half in Eindhoven it was hit. Marco van Ginkel saw a long shot turned by PAOK goalkeeper Zivko Zivkovic. In the rebound Madueke was there like the chickens to score the 1-0 from close by. Seven minutes before the halftime signal, the accurate attacker saw a bet disappear just wide of the goal of the Greeks.
Schmidt decided to make no fewer than nine substitutions halfway through the exhibition game on his own field. Mohamed Ihattaren, who started on the bench, received playing time from the German coach, just like Nick Viergever, Mauro Junior and Davy Pröpper. Under the watchful eye of 20,000 spectators, PSV was also the dominant party in the second half. Like Ibrahim Sangaré, Ihattaren tried from a distance, but that did not yield the much desired second goal for PSV. In addition, Ryan Thomas missed a great header opportunity.
In the last part of the game, Schmidt also allowed Shurandy Sambo and Dante Rigo to play minutes. PSV was unable to score, but that was not fatal for the home team because of PAOK’s lack of punch. The Eindhoven team thus booked the third victory during the practice campaign. Previously won against RWDM (6-2) and Delbrücker SC (1-10). Only against VfL Osnabrück (0-0) was not won last Saturday.
PSV first half line-up: drum; Mwene, Ramalho, Boscagli, Max; Sangare, Van Ginkel; Madueke, Gotze, Vertessen; Zahavic
PSV second half line-up: drum; Teze, Obispo, Viergever, Oppegard; Propper, Sangare; Thomas, Mauro JR; Fofana, Ihattaren.