PSV has climbed to second place in Group B of the Europa League. The Eindhoven team won 2-0 against Sturm Graz on Thursday evening and collected eight points. At the same time, AS Monaco won 2-1 against Real Sociedad, making the Ligue 1 club certain of the group win. Real Sociedad has six points and so PSV has enough in the final match in Spain to continue in the Europa League. In the event of a defeat, a sequel awaits in the Conference League; the victory over Sturm Graz ensured that PSV is sure of a European winter.
PSV had little to fear from Sturm Graz in the first half, but also created little danger themselves. Roger Schmidt’s team had a lot of trouble breaking down the Austrian wall. Sturm withdrew with all his might to block PSV’s way to the goal, despite the fact that a victory in Eindhoven was necessary to keep the prospect of wintering in Europe. On the stroke of half-time, PSV received a penalty, which provided a solution for the struggling home team.
PSV is going to drink tea with a head start! #veronicainside #uel #psvstu pic.twitter.com/tB4AzUz2M9
— Veronica Inside (@veronicainside) Nov 25, 2021
The Sturm Graz keeper Jörg Siebenhandl, who had come out, tried to put Mario Götze off the ball, but made contact with the attacking midfielder’s leg with his outstretched leg. Referee Pawel Raczkowski pointed to the dot; Carlos Vinícius shot unconvincingly from eleven yards, but Siebenhandl couldn’t get his hands against the ball with enough force. Ten minutes after the break, PSV doubled the margin. It was Bruma who secured a more comfortable lead.
Bruma doubles the lead! (2-0) ??#veronicainside #uel #psvstu pic.twitter.com/5khHWBnKu0
— Veronica Inside (@veronicainside) Nov 25, 2021
The preparatory work came from Ritsu Doan, who served Bruma with a dexterous heel ball in the penalty area. Bruma then found the right corner; the video arbitration looked at the goal, but saw that there was just no sign of offside. In the last ten minutes, both teams were still threatening. Substitute Yorbe Vertessen missed a great opportunity after a sharp cross from Doan, before scoring from an offside position; in between, Drommel had to save on a long shot by Anderson Niangbo. Bruma hit the side net in stoppage time.