In foreign media, the equalizer of PSV player Érick Gutiérrez against AS Monaco (3-2) is considered invalid. The free kick before the goal was reportedly taken in the wrong place. PSV set Monaco aside on Tuesday evening in the third qualifying round of the Champions League. After the 1-1 draw in Monte Carlo, that was enough to reach the play-offs of the billion-dollar ball. Monaco coach Philippe Clement found the elimination ‘irritating’. “We dominated both games. Anyway: this is the cruelty and the charm of football,” said the Belgian to RMC Sports.
Until five minutes before the end, Monaco was still on a 1-2 lead in Eindhoven. But PSV eventually won the match due to good headers from Gutiérrez and Luuk de Jong. According to RMC Sports Gutiérrez’s equalizer should never have counted. The free kick that Joey Veerman took was not taken in the right place, according to the defense of the Monegasque medium. The direct confrontation between a Dutch and French club, with a view to the UEFA coefficients, is also mentioned. “Not only AS Monaco lost, French football was also hit in Eindhoven.”
L’Equipe makes no bones about it: “Monaco is killing itself.” The daily points out the similarities with last season, when Shakhtar Donetsk was also defeated in the final phase. L’Equipe a lack of efficiency broke the squad. The 28 shots on target, compared to 11 for PSV, resulted in only two hits. PSV keeper Walter Benítez is praised for his good performance, while the coefficient battle predominates. “PSV’s qualification for the Champions League play-offs at the expense of Monaco increases the Dutch threat for France’s fifth place. This determines the allocation of tickets for the Champions League in the 2024/25 season.”
In Belgium, the disappointment of compatriot Clement is shared. The last news speaks of ‘a very debatable equalizer’. They also mention that the free kick from which the goal came was taken in the half of Monaco, while offside of the visitors preceded this. “Clement and his staff pointed this out to the Spanish referee, but when the VAR did not intervene, their frustration became complete. Assistant Jonas Ivens got a red card.”
sporza inadvertently sprinkles some more salt in the wounds of their compatriot. “How often would Philippe Clement have thought back to the closing day of Ligue 1 in recent weeks? With Monaco, he then gave away a direct ticket to the group stage of the Champions League in minute 96, despite an impressive comeback in the previous weeks.” Monaco dominated in the extension, according to the sports channel. “Without converting that predominance into a goal. Deadly. Because an unexpected hit from top purchase Luuk de Jong made the heavens fall on Philippe Clement’s head again.”