(Translated by Thomas Snaith)
Before the fixture:
Coach Marcel Koller made some changes to his team compared to FCB´s last fixture against Sion; Taulant Xhaka replaced Raoul Petretta who also replaced Petretta (injury) in Sion. Ricky van Wolfswinkel was selected to play in his home country, replacing Noah Okafor.
It was hot in Holland! At 8pm the temperature was over 30 degrees centigrade, resulting in some sweaty supporters.
First Half:
The home side got off to a better start and put pressure on the visitor´s defence. After 14 minutes PSV scored the opener. Jonas Omlin blocked Donyell Males´shot but Brumas converted the deflection. This early goal lifted the home side.
We were unable to keep posession during the final phase of the fixture and we were pressured into our own penalty box; dangerous.
As the fixture progressed, so did FCB, gaining more confidence minute by minute. FCB started to prevent PSV´s offensive attacks much earlier than before and ventured into PSV´s penalty box more often. Just before the end of the 1st half the visitors equalized: Luca Zuffi held the ball in PSV´s penalty box, waited for Albian Ajeti to get into position and made the deciding pass. Ajeti conquered the Dutch defense, beating Jarooen Zoet; 1:1.
Second Half:
The second half started as the first half ended. PSV were in control and closer to scoring the 2:1,especially as Eray Cömert intercepted Males´ attempted pass and hit the ball against his own crossbar (55.). As the game progressed, FCB calmed things down, preventing danger in their penalty box. Ten minutes before the end of the fixture it looked like FCB were going to pull of an amazing away victory. Luca Zuffi took a corner kick and Omar Alderete headed the into the back of the net; 2:1.
During the hectic final stages of the fixture the Dutch side turned the game around, thanks to goals from Sam Lammers and Donyell Malen. Lammers scored with his head and Malen using his heel.
After the fixture:
PSV´s victory was somewhat lucky but definitely deserved. The home team created the better chances and controlled the fixture for the majority of the game. It is frustrating that FCB gave away the lead in the final stages of the fixture.
The atmosphere during the 2nd leg fixture will be a deciding factor. I hope we can fill the stadium.
FC Basel 1893´s chances of success are still intact before facing PSV in Basel. FC Basel need to mentally accept their defeat in Eindhoven and show a positive reaction at St. Jakob Park.
Match Report:
PSV Eindhoven – FC Basel 1893 3:2 (1:1)
PSV Stadion. – SR Andris Treimanis (Latvia).
Goals:14. Bruma 1:0 (Malen). 46. Ajeti 1:1. (Zuffi). 79. Alderete 1:2 (Zuffi). 89. Lammers 2:2. 93. Malen 3:2.
PSV: Zoet; Dumfries, Viergever, Luckassen; Lozano (82. Lammers), Gutiérrez, Rosario, Sadílek, Bruma (78. Gakpo); Bergwijn, Malen.
FCB: Omlin; Widmer, Alderete, Cömert, Xhaka; Frei, Balanta (90. Pululu); van Wolfswinkel, Zuffi, Stocker (65. Okafor); Ajeti (88. Ademi).
Notes: FCB without Kuzmanovic, Tushi (both injured) and von Moos (sick). Substitutes FCB: Ademi, Bua, Campo, Nikolic, Okafor, Pululu and Riveros. – Yellow Cards: 63. Xhaka .73. Widmer. 73. Bergwijn.84. Sadílek. 89. Ajeti. – 55. Cömert hits FCB´s crossbar when attempting to clear the ball.
