PSV honorably say goodbye to Champions League with a draw at Arsenal

After the 1-7 Champions League defeat in Eindhoven, Honesthesel was the highest attainable for PSV in the return against Arsenal in London. With a 2-2 draw, the reigning champion of the Netherlands met the assignment of coach Peter Bosz.

The elimination in the eighth finals of the Champions League is now a fact. Just like for Feyenoord, the European adventure of PSV ends here.

Bosz had already resigned himself in advance with elimination and gave several players a rest. Luuk de Jong, Ryan Flamingo, Noa Lang, Olivier Boscagli and Joey Veerman started on the couch, Ismael Saibari and Mauro Júnior were not in the selection.

The biggest surprise in the base was 19-year-old Isaac Babadi, who got a chance as an attacking midfielder. Couhaib Driouech was the replacement for Lang as left winger and Ivan Perisic acted as an occasional striker.

Arsenal also did not play with his strongest eleven. Martin Ødegaard and Jurriën Timber were missing in the base. Former PSV player Oleksandr Zintsjenko did start and quickly hurt his old team.

The left leg shot the ball in the intersection in the sixth minute. It was a nice goal, but PSV’s defense didn’t look good. Despite the presence of Adamo Nagalo and Armando Obispo, among others, the Ukrainian could play.

Like this Champions League season, the 36-year-old Perisic showed its value for PSV. A pass from Guus Til came slightly under his body, but nevertheless the Croat hurt the ball in the intersection: 1-1.

“Ten, ten, ten”, the 3,000 anniversary fans of PSV sang in the Emirates Stadium. Of course it didn’t come that far. It was a matter of PSV to hold Arsenal about two games under ten.

A shot from Driouech was only just saved by Arsenal keeper David Raya and on the other hand PSV escaped a deficit when the 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly hit the PSW via PSV keeper Walter Benítez.

Moments later, PSV did not escape. Raheel Sterling was in smart, Driouech and Tyrell Malacia, had a good pass in the house and Declan Rice headed in in the 37th minute: 2-1.

After a Corner from PSV, Sterling went on his way to the 3-1 before half time, but Benítez saved well. A gamble from Jerdy Schouten, captain in the absence of De Jong, not to get Sterling down for fear of red, worked out well.

With eleven against eleven, PSV had opportunities on the equalizer in the second half. For example, Raya saved a placed shot from Babadi and a bet by substitute Veerman just passed.

In the meantime, the fans kept singing and dancing and could even cheer in the 70th minute. Babadi gave a pass and Driouech passed Raya with a beautiful lob: 2-2.

With De Jong, Flamingo and Boscagli as invaders, PSV held up. With a nice shot, Babadi was even close to the 2-3 and De Jong headed far into injury time.

For example, Bosz got exactly what he wanted, thanks in part to the surprising basic customers: no new decline and trust for the ending in the Eredivisie.