Moderate PSV fails to secure second place and Champions League soccer

NOS Football–yesterday, 16:30

Watch the summary of PSV – sc Heerenveen

PSV failed to secure second place in the Eredivisie. The mediocre playing Eindhoveners came no further than 3-3 against sc Heerenveen at home, and were even allowed to breathe a sigh of relief that a 1-3 deficit was cleared in the closing quarter.

Because of this result and Ajax’s victory over FC Utrecht (3-1), PSV needs at least a point in next week’s away match at AZ to be sure of second place and Champions League soccer. Ajax will then visit FC Twente.

The first half was symptomatic of the shaky play PSV has shown this soccer season. Coach Ruud van Nistelrooij’s team started reasonably and took the lead after 14 minutes when Ibrahim Sangaré headed in a cross from Luuk de Jong.

Heerenveen turns game around

PSV failed to take further distance from Heerenveen with two good shooting chances for Xavi Simons and was dealt the equalizer by accident. Defender André Ramalho blundered during a Frisian breakaway and saw PSV’s coveted Milan van Ewijk take advantage.

The Eindhoveners lost it and suffered another setback just before halftime when Antoine Colassin made it 1-2 for Heerenveen after a breakout with a nifty little seesaw.

Van Nistelrooij: ‘Fuss about nothing’

Ruud van Nistelrooij thinks the alleged “cracks” within PSV’s coaching staff is a very inflated story. De Telegraaf wrote Friday that the relationship between the coach and his assistants André Ooijer and Fred Rutten would have fallen “below freezing” and that mutual communication leaves much to be desired.

As a result, Rutten is said to be considering leaving PSV following Ooijer’s lead, although the selection would like to continue with Rutten.

“Of course there are differences of opinion in the staff, to get everything out of it, but if that’s a ‘story’…. I think it’s a lot of fuss about nothing. It’s an inflated story,” Van Nistelrooij said prior to the match against sc Heerenveen.

Van Nistelrooij also revealed to be happy with the cooperation with Rutten. Ooijer does leave after this season as assistant at PSV, but took this decision back in March because he is ready for a new challenge.

With substitutes Fábio Silva and Thorgan Hazard for Guus Til and Anwar El Ghazi respectively, PSV looked for freshness in the second half, but it was Heerenveen that scored again.

It was again Anderlecht loanee Colassin who made it 1-3 with a fine ball into the far corner. Heerenveen controlled the lead and PSV was unable to create any major chances.

Watch interviews with Ruud van Nistelrooij (before and after the match), Joey Veerman and Kees van Wonderen below:

De Jong’s tying goal in the 79th minute, a crisp header after a Joey Veerman corner, then gave PSV new energy.

The Eindhoven natives revived and got to 3-3 through a penalty kick by Simons. The attacking midfielder had forced a penalty before that, after being tapped by Jeffrey Bruma in the penalty area.

PSV hunted for the win, but a bigger escape was not in the cards for the Eindhoven players, who will have to work hard next week in Alkmaar to secure second place.