PSV recorded an important 1-4 victory in the Europa League against Sturm Graz on Thursday evening. The Dutch newspapers are therefore positive about the performance of the team of trainer Roger Schmidt. Cody Gakpo is regarded as the great star on the Eindhoven side, while Ibrahim Sangaré’s red card is seen as a blemish on an otherwise flawless evening.
PSV won the match with goals from Sangaré, Eran Zahavi, Philipp Max and Yorbe Vertessen. According to the Eindhovens Dagblad a ‘rotten week’ ends with the victory, referring to last Saturday’s defeat in Tilburg against Willem II (2-1). “With Cody Gakpo again as a driver, PSV already played a good first half,” writes club watcher Rik Elfrink. After the 0-4 defeat against Feyenoord and a loss against Willem II, PSV has some peace in the tent, according to the journalist. “And has maneuvered itself into an excellent starting position in the second UEFA tournament to allow for the winter. The only blemish on the game were a few unnecessary yellow cards and even a dismissal of Sangaré in the final phase. The midfielder widened and received a yellow card because his opponent ran into an arm. PSV nevertheless counted its blessings: thanks to the big victory, the team now leads in group B.”
?? PSV won 1-4 against Sturm Graz in Austria tonight. View all PSV goals here, including Philipp Max’s fantastic match ???? pic.twitter.com/7SIyLxyQLr
— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) September 30, 2021
Sturm Graz has turned out to be no more than a faint breeze for PSV except for a short phase in the Merkut Arena. The Telegraph. The newspaper saw one player in Austria stand head and shoulders above the rest. “Cody Gakpo was the big star on the Eindhoven side. It passed the Austrians on all sides and constantly created a threat. After the debacle at Willem II, trainer Roger Schmidt had mainly insisted in conversations that his team should not miss simple opportunities. Nevertheless, Philipp Max and Yorbe Vertessen decided the match with shots from outside the penalty area. They were two typical goals for PSV in the European champagne, which scores against clubs from across the borders from all positions.”
Also de Volkskrant saw Gakpo excel in the Europa League, even though the the Dutch international was unable to score and did not provide an assist. “The game was not great. Unless Cody Gakpo got involved. The attacker from the Eindhoven working-class district of Stratum only turned 22 in the spring, but only scores curls on his report, even in a period when things are going less well. “He floats like a doe past opponents, meanwhile has an eye for the smart through pass. His kick is world class.” In two weeks, PSV will take on AS Monaco in front of its own audience in a European context. The home game against Sparta Rotterdam is scheduled for Sunday evening at 8 p.m.