PSV has a point left over on Thursday evening from the away match against AS Monaco in the Europa League. In a bloodless spectacle with no shots on target on either side, neither team managed to score: 0-0. However, PSV received good news from Spain: competitor Real Sociedad did not get past the last player Sturm Graz (1-1). Monaco is currently at the top of Group B with eight points, while Sociedad (six) and PSV (five) are still in the running to continue. Sturm Graz is at the bottom by one point.
Roger Schmidt opted for a surprising arrangement in the principality. Erick Gutiérrez got a starting spot for the first time this season, starting in midfield; Olivier Boscagli moved back to defense from midfield, leaving Armando Obispo out of the starting eleven. PSV could not have Mario Götze (ill), Noni Madueke (hamstring), Ryan Thomas (knee), Cody Gakpo (ankle) and Davy Pröpper (ankle). The Eindhoven team tried to build up in the opening phase, but rarely found an opening.
PSV’s most threatening man was Yorbe Vertessen, whose match ended prematurely. In the last minute of the first half he was replaced by Bruma due to physical problems. In the second half Carlos Vinícius was also unable to continue, so Ritsu Doan made his appearance. Until that moment, PSV had become dangerous once, via a shot by Eran Zahavi that sailed just wide. Furthermore, the level and entertainment value of the match left much to be desired. Monaco had not even fired a single goal after more than an hour.
Monaco’s first serious attempt came after 66 minutes, when André Ramalho cleared a header from Aurélien Tchouaméni from the goal line. Just before that, Myron Boadu had been replaced by Wissam Ben Yedder for the home team. It remained difficult for PSV to get through. Ramalho had a chance for the header, but only grazed the ball. The audience present asked Schmidt noisily for a substitute from Maximiliano Romero, but only got his way in minute 89. In the end, there were no goals in the Stade Louis II.
Real Sociedad – Sturm Graz 1-1
Despite serious opportunities for Alexander Sörloth and Portu, Sturm Graz surprisingly opened the score in the closing phase of the first half. After a low cross from Manprit Sarkaria, Jakob Jantscher was in the right place to finish from close range. In the stoppage time of the first half, a new opportunity arose for Portu, but that also remained untapped. Seven minutes after the break, Sociedad came alongside: after a corner from the left flank, Igor Zubeldia headed the ball towards Sörloth, who was able to finish from close range. It remained at 1-1, giving Sociedad a point ahead of PSV.