Despite the fact that PSV suffered a defeat in Lisbon against Benfica on Wednesday evening, there are optimistic sounds in the Dutch morning newspapers. The team from Eindhoven already trailed 2-0 before the break, but a goal from Cody Gakpo shortly after the break resulted in a 2-1 defeat with perspective in the Estádio da Luz. As a result, PSV can still hope for a place in the main tournament of the Champions League.
“The enormous financial interests that were at stake initially seemed like a heavy burden on the shoulders of the PSV players. There was initially little to be seen of the frivolous game from the first games of the season. Moreover, the Eindhoven defense turned out to be very vulnerable if Benfica stepped in for a while,” he notes The Telegraph. The newspaper saw that PSV started to play better and better after the break ‘under the impulse of Gakpo’, so that Benfica was little more involved.
“As hesitant as PSV started in the first half, so self-consciously it started in the second half. (…) Before the break there were still sporadic opportunities, after the break PSV created a series of opportunities”, is the conclusion. The return in the battle for a Champions League ticket awaits in Eindhoven next Tuesday. “The belief that PSV can participate in the billion-dollar ball prevailed despite the 2-1 defeat.”
“Dare to play football, be careful with the ball and at the same time guard all positions as if it were the safe of De Nederlandsche Bank. PSV tried it all last night in Benfica’s mighty home, but due to a combination of factors failed to leave Portugal in a great mood,” the summary of the statement reads. Eindhovens Dagblad after PSV’s visit to Benfica. According to the newspaper, PSV might have earned more in Lisbon.
“PSV played at a high level, but will have to stretch its own limit a little further next week,” the newspaper said. “The defensive work of the backs in particular could be better and Ibrahim Sangaré, for example, still lacks the necessary certainty on the ball, although his passing accuracy as a whole is not bad. The Ivorian distinguishes himself in his intercepting work and is of enormous value to this PSV, which certainly did not cut a punch in Lisbon. A well-filled Philips Stadium might just give Schmidt’s team a push in the right direction next week.”
“For a moment, the Portuguese storm from Benfica seemed to blow PSV’s house down, but it didn’t completely collapse,” he begins. de Volkskrant. The newspaper writes that PSV looked ‘tense’ in the initial phase and that it seemed as if Benfica was ‘squeezing the throat’ of the people from Eindhoven. “Schmidt’s team came into play better with which it fought Galatasaray, FC Midtjylland and Ajax. In the second half it pushed Benfica far back in its own half and again showed that it has several weapons in the team.”
“The hand of trainer Roger Schmidt is becoming increasingly visible at PSV”, concludes Fidelity after the match in Lisbon. “Experience, as acquired with Brazilian defender André Ramalho and returning midfielder Marco van Ginkel, is more balanced in this respect compared to the youthful talent, including winger Noni Madueke. A won balance that offers hope for the tension in the Eredivisie.”