PSV is now coping well with adversity and thanks assist king Bakayoko


Sunday, February 26, 2023 at 6:40 PM• Guy Habets • Last update: 18:41

PSV has managed to maintain its connection with the top three. In a direct duel with FC Twente, the number five in the ranking, an important victory was achieved: 3-1. For a moment, the team from Eindhoven seemed to hit the same stone again when the guests from Enschede came to the same level shortly after the break, but PSV remained calm and got the job done professionally. Johan Bakayoko impressed by providing two assists.

Ruud van Nistelrooij, PSV’s trainer, surprised by giving Fábio Silva a chance as a basic player. The striker was posted as left winger, so that Xavi Simons dropped a line and Guus Til became the child of the bill. The attacking midfielder had to sit on the bench next to his coach. Robin Pröpper returned to the team at Twente. The central defender played together with Mees Hilgers as usual, but missed controller Michal Sadílek in front of him. The Czech had to miss the confrontation with his old club due to an injury.

The winner of the match between PSV and Twente would keep up with the top three, while the loser would drop out for the time being. That was a message that especially the home team had gotten into their ears and within ten minutes the opening goal was already in the net. Johan Bakayoko cut a fine cross from the right on Silva’s forehead, who only had to nod: 1-0. That goal ensured control and solidity in PSV’s game, without Van Nistelrooij’s team playing many more chances together. Twente meanwhile waited.

Virgil Misidjan, who easily outplayed Phillipp Mwene and found Walter Benitez on his way, and Ramiz Zerrouki had a number of opportunities for a goal. However, the Tukkers did not play very convincingly, so PSV easily took the break 1-0. Twente did strike shortly after the break. Shortly after the home team missed a great opportunity with Simons, a cross from Misidjan swung into the far corner in one go. Ricky van Wolfswinkel’s outstretched foot no longer touched the ball, but no one among the guests from Enschede cared: 1-1.

PSV was clearly upset by that goal and escaped the 1-2 several times in the following minutes. Misidjan again got into scoring position, but he made the wrong choice, and Michel Vlap headed from very close into the hands of Benítez. The people of Eindhoven were in survival mode for a while, but got through it and rewarded themselves after an hour. Bakayoko put the ball ready again and this time it was Luuk de Jong who only had to move his head forward to score: 2-1. It was his hundredth goal for PSV.

That goal brought relief to the Philips Stadium, to Van Nistelrooij and his staff and to PSV. The game of the home team was suddenly a lot more confident and the third goal was in the air. Fifteen minutes before the end, PSV closed the game and that was thanks to Simons. The attacking midfielder was sent deep by Ibrahim Sangaré, controlled the difficult bouncing ball and then pushed the leather under Lars Unnerstall in a controlled manner. After that 3-1, the Twente resistance was broken and PSV took the points on cruise control.

No. Team m W G v +/- Pnt
1 Feyenoord 23 15 7 1 31 52
2 Ajax 23 14 7 2 42 49
3 AZ 23 14 5 4 21 47
4 PSV 23 14 4 5 32 46
5 FC Twente 23 11 7 5 18 40
6 Sparta Rotterdam 23 10 7 6 7 37
7 FC Utrecht 23 10 7 6 3 37
8 RKC Waalwijk 23 8 8 7 3 32
9 NEC 23 6 12 5 8 30
10 SC Heerenveen 23 8 6 9 -5 30
11 Go Ahead Eagles 23 6 8 9 -6 26
12 Fortuna Sittard 23 7 5 11 -11 26
13 Vitesse 23 5 8 10 -13 23
14 FC Volendam 23 5 5 13 -27 20
15 Excelsior 23 6 2 15 -34 20
16 FC Emmen 23 3 9 11 -20 18
17 Fc Groningen 23 4 5 14 -23 17
18 SC Cambuur 23 3 4 16 -26 13