The European season has therefore once again ended in disappointment for PSV, which has been moderate in recent years. The club was last active in the Champions League main tournament in 2018/2019. PSV have come close this season, but Rangers FC were surprisingly too strong in the play-offs of the most important club tournament in August.
PSV coach Ruud van Nistelrooij still had some confidence in a stunt heading into the second leg against Sevilla. He based this on his side’s first-half play in Spain a week earlier. “It’s the highest level we’ve reached this year,” said the coach.
PSV made the necessary mistakes before the break and Sevilla could still easily play football under the pressure PSV tried to put on. Luuk de Jong had a small chance to take the lead in the 3rd minute. The Brabandiers failed to create much more danger before the break.
Sevilla had a great chance shortly after the break. Goalkeeper Walter Benítez saved from close range on a shot by Youssef En-Nesyri. PSV came in front of Sevilla’s goal more often than before the break, but it didn’t come to much. Xavi Simons sent the ball from the edge of the penalty area too softly into the keeper’s hands in the 56th minute.
After an hour of playing with Fábio Silva, Van Nistelrooij brought an additional striker into the squad. The supporters sang “All or nothing”. For a while it looked like it could still become ‘everything’ for PSV. De Jong pushed the ball into the goal in the 77th minute and soon after the striker scored again. However, that goal was disallowed due to Silva’s offside. Silva still scored in stoppage time, but PSV’s third goal went unscored.
PSV must now focus on the Eredivisie, in which they are 6 points behind leaders Feyenoord after last weekend. Premier League player ADO Den Haag awaits the KNVB Cup quarter-finals next week.