PSV received three points on Sunday from its visit to FC Groningen. The match, which was dominated by the return of Arjen Robben as a professional soccer player, quickly took a nasty turn because the routine had to come down within half an hour with a muscle injury. The people of Eindhoven, who were first led by coach Roger Schmidt, took the lead not long after and eventually took the lead by 1-3. PSV ends this weekend as number two in the Eredivisie, while FC Groningen has a fourteenth place.

In addition to Robben, Jörgen Strand Larsen, who was acquired a few days ago, also appeared on behalf of the home team at the kick-off. At PSV, with Yvon Mvogo and Philipp Max, there was room for two newcomers in the Schmidt squad, who kept Mohamed Ihattaren on the bench and made way for Sam Lammers, heavily linked to a switch. His partner up front, Donyell Malen, signs for the first danger of the game after just over five minutes of play and after his shot by Sergio Padt, a bet from Mauro Júnior is also taken off the line. On the other hand, there was a chance for Ramon Pascal Lundqvist to score, but his shot deflected off the post to Mvogo.

Lambs then struggled with physical complaints, but it was an attacker from the opponent who had to get off early. Robben grabs his thigh after a counterattack for FC Groningen, after which the back captain must be replaced immediately. Almost immediately after that, the home team got another blow when Cody Gakpo kept his feet between a number of opponents on his feet and shot hard in the bottom left corner. Because a new attempt by Lundqvist was deflated by Mvogo, PSV also maintained this lead until halftime and early in the second half, Jorrit Hendrix and Noni Madueke made their entry in place of the injured Ryan Thomas and Lammers.

They were just in time on the field to experience Mvogo’s mistake initiated by the equalizer from FC Groningen. The new goalkeeper, who kept Lars Unnerstall on the bench, played the ball in the feet of Strand Larsen in defense, after which Thomas Suslov took advantage. However, FC Groningen could not enjoy this boost for long, as four minutes after the equalizer he had already fallen behind. PSV started immediately after the goal and after a quick breakthrough it was Madueke who enabled Malen to achieve his first goal of 2020.

In the phase after PSV’s second goal, there were opportunities for both sides, with a ball headed by Jordan Teze on one side of the goal line and Malen shot on the posts again on the other side of the field. PSV then thought he would run further in the final phase after a hard free kick by substitute Ihattaren ended up in the field on the hand of Daniël van Kam. However, Malen’s penalty kick was turned over by Padt, who initially kept his team going. About five minutes later things went wrong for FC Groningen when Madueke caught two defenders with a counterattack, found Gakpo and saw his companion move in from the edge of the sixteen.