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PSV in shock after Atletico’s bashing: 0-3!

September 16th, 2008 | By: Jan | 17 Comments »

Heitinga congratulated by Bakkal. Koevermans is in his own world…

Huub Stevens debut in the CL as PSV coach turned out to be a nightmare. The Dutch champs weren’t up to it against the number four of Spain: 0-3 in Eindhoven.

It’s another telling sign that Holland is merely a sup top nation in international football.
The Dutch pride got such a spanking that even the biggest optimists in Holland don’t expect anything anymore for this season. In international football, a home defeat on match day 1 is the death penalty. In two weeks, PSV travels to Anfield Road to play Liverpool and one simply can’t expect the Eindhoven-club to snatch three points there.

And it’s not just the result. It’s also the way inwhich Atletico got their result. In the last four CL seasons, PSV was a factor to be reckoned with, but this season it seems PSV has slipped away.

PSV played like they do most often. Three midfielders (Mendez, Culina, Simons) in a block in front of their defense, with creative players Afellay and Amrabat close to striker Koevermans.

It wasn’t enough to scare the Madrid club. Afellay had the first attempt, but in the first minute, Atletico should have scored their first.

That first chance was a sign. Stevens refused to speak of an exam yesterday, but still the new PSV was rudely awakened and taught in the international laws of football.
Debutant Erik Pieters had a tough night against Luis Garcia, Nordin Amrabat - a newcomer at this level too - played as if he was playing with his mates at the local playground… His opponents couldn’t be bothered by all his tricks, dummies and shimmies.

The game was settled after ten minutes. Aguero - Maradona’s son in law -scored the first after a Brechet mistake. Then, it was counter-attacking time for the Spanish guests. PSV only created one opportunity but Koevermans missed a step.

60 seconds later, the game was locked up. Marcellis allowed his opponent to break through and Aguero was able to score his second. Ten minutes in the second half, our friend Maniche scored 0-3.
And PSV accepted their defeat.

In 2004, PSV lost their first match as well (against Arsenal) but got to the semi finals that year. That may be the only little straw left for the PSV fans.

Ibrahim Afellay was highly disappointed. “The shock was felt in the dressing room. They have tremendous players up front. They decide a game in two or three moments,” he analyzed the Atletico game.

Huub Stevens gave his team a pep talk after the match. “I rather lose once with 0-3 than three times with 0-1. We wanted to perform well today, but when you’re 0-1 behind after ten minutes, it’s tough to get back into the game against such a side.”

Stevens secretly enjoyed Atletico’s game. “They waited for our mistakes and were able to outplay us with 2 or 3 touches. That’s the type of play we’re jealous of. We’d like to be able to do that too. I hope this will be a huge learning experience for us. Maybe this defeat will have it’s plusses.”

John Heitinga was the only Dutchman tonight to smile. “I am happy with this. We showed that we can play good football. I wasn’t shocked by PSV, no. They started well in the Dutch Eredivisie, but CL football is different. Conceding quick in the game is hard for any side, and we know how to deal with these situations.”

Tags: Afellay, Barcelona, CL, Group C, Heitinga, Oranje, PSV, Stevens

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Comments

By Felipe dos Santos Souza | September 16th, 2008 at 8:01 pm

Repeating what I commented as soon as the game finished: “If PSV had a dream that it wouldn’t be difficult, that dream was tore up against Atletico. The Boeren had more goal shots, more possession… but Agüero, how lethal he’s being! Now, let’s work, Stevens! At least, Afellay and Amrabat tried to do something”.

By Carlos | September 16th, 2008 at 8:52 pm

I believe Barca are trying to wrench Aguero away from Atletico. Not sure if Liverpool are such a big threat at home. They are one of those nervous clubs that sometimes play absolutely brilliant, yet against teams supposedly weaker they often fumble (who does that sound like ?)
@ Goose - My Dad was a diplomat and every 3 years we used to go back to Den Haag - stayed with Oma on a little street off Laan van Meerdervoort a couple blocks away from Zuiderpark. Used to walk past there when we accompanied her to church A long time ago before we settled in Oz.

Posted from Singapore

By eric | September 16th, 2008 at 9:09 pm

Brechet and Koef, laughable! Piss poor, they don’t belong to the team. Amrabat showed way too much tricks with the ball, but he can’t pass defenders. Afellay and Marcellis did decent, but clearly they have much to learn. 3rd position is the next realistic target now, knowing that Liverpool and Atletico are in pole position to qualify.

By Michel-Olivier | September 16th, 2008 at 9:45 pm

lads, lads, lads, it’s only the first game. remember psv(the only dutch team in c.l.) have new players and young players so they will need time to gel and grow.

Posted from United States

By goose | September 17th, 2008 at 2:35 am

didnt see the game .. looks like i didnt miss much

Psv should concentrate on the Uefa spot

Posted from Netherlands

By tiju | September 17th, 2008 at 4:48 am

@jan and goose
How was eric pieters ?

Posted from India

By goose | September 17th, 2008 at 9:13 am

dont know Tiju; did nt see the match, any takers??

Posted from Netherlands

By Caleb | September 17th, 2008 at 12:04 pm

Can’t really say much about Pieters, good or bad - I didn’t really notice him much.

About the game, PSV played with the ball well, dominated possession and creating many more chances than Atletico, but PSV lacked the ability to finish their chances and Atletico finished the few chances they had. Atletico’s keeper made a bunch of excellent saves, and Koevermans and Lazovic were terrible, missing excellent chances.

The score could have been much different if PSV had more luck and Atletico had less, but Atletico played smart so kudos to them.

I thought Afellay played very well and Amrabat started to play very well in the second half. There’s still potential in this team to get some points in this year’s CL.

Posted from Canada

By Caleb | September 17th, 2008 at 12:04 pm

Oh yeah, one more thing: Afellay played very well, but I also saw some worrying signs of him trying to do everything by himself…

Posted from Canada

By Jan | September 17th, 2008 at 8:21 pm

Pieters had difficulties against Luis Garcia, as I wrote in the post.

We all know he’s a promising fellow for sure, but this is a big level up for him. I did write this many times before: don’t underestimate the difference in level between U21 Oranje or the Big Oranje. Or playing for Heerenveen in the Dutch League vs playing CL football against Liverpool or Atletico.

Amrabat will have tough night against Pool, I’m telling ya… To much trickery and they kick you in the stands. So, either you’re very very good (Messi, C Ronaldo, Robben, V Persie) or they snap you.

By dirk v.d.Berg | September 17th, 2008 at 8:26 pm

I wouldn’t call this an upset, Atletico is going to one of the teams to beat this season. There front two are amazing, and all they did this off season was working on the back line, by signing Heitinga, Ujfalusi, and Coupet. I’m thinking an all-Madrid final.

Posted from Canada

By eric | September 17th, 2008 at 9:11 pm

I wasn’t impressed with Pieters, quite frankly. He had some shaky moments, gave away possessions. He is still raw, has a lot to learn. He’s still adjusting playing in a bigger team and in a more competitive environment. I think he will turn out to be a decent player, quite likely will wear Oranje shirt at some point. It will not happen anytime soon, I am guessing it’ll be more in 2-3 years time frame. I just hope he is not rushed and flopped like Vlaar.

By tiju | September 18th, 2008 at 12:02 am

@goose and jan
I have lost my faith in our diffenders except bulahruz(that to in diffencive aspect not in offencive aspect)
KNVB should plan about making new diffenders with the help of jap stam and de boar.they should create something special for the diffenders for a group of diffenders(A special training etc)consecutively.
now i am looking forward to the new diffenders if we are getting that we can hope otherwise we can forget WC2010.(we may qualify but we need a world cup for our country it is my wish(a poor bloody indian-a die hard dutch fan)
there is no leader in the back all are fearfull personals.without vandersar these diffenders cannt do anything

Posted from India

By Alex | September 18th, 2008 at 3:11 am

I have always said, and i will repeat it again, top Eredivisie clubs, Ajax, PSV, Twente, Heerenveen, Feyenoord etc. should start a Beneluxleague with the best Belgian clubs. It’s the only way to close the gap a tiny bit in the next few years. Besides very poor defending by PSV, they were sleeping back there.

Posted from Netherlands

By tiju | September 18th, 2008 at 4:30 am

Afaleeys unnecessary driblings irritates me.ofcourse he is a nice player but but uselessdribling is too much

Posted from India

By Caleb | September 18th, 2008 at 8:45 am

Alex - I agree with you about creating a Benelux league. Like you, I’ve thought the same way for a while now; it would certainly help increase the level of the league and probably increase the income for the clubs as well.

Posted from Canada

By goose | September 20th, 2008 at 4:40 am

@Caleb/Alex; as a supporter who goes to Eredivisie games i would like the level to be higher BUT as an Oranje supporter im happy with the way things are .. in a ‘weak’ competition theres plenty of room for young DUTCH players to get into the first team and learn their trade (say, 3-5 years) and then move on to the big teams in Europe .. i reckon the situation as it is is fine for Oranje

btw; it would be a Bene league ofcourse with only 5-6 belgium teams, dont think it will ever happen

Posted from Netherlands

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