Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven battled into the last 16 of the Champions League Wednesday, after a pulsating 3-1 extra-time win over Juventus gave them a 4-3 aggregate play-off victory.
In the opening period of extra time, PSV advanced past either Arsenal or Inter Milan as a result of a poor defensive play by centre-back Ryan Flamingo.
Luuk de Jong, the PSV captain and talismanic striker, said, “Everyone gave it their all today.”
“We had our backs against the wall, but we kept pushing, and we deserved to win 3-1.” So that was great, just fantastic”, added the 34-year-old.
Roared on by a boisterous crowd at the Philips Stadion, the hosts started the brighter, pressing the Juventus defence, dominating possession, and winning 50-50 balls.
However, the first half ended goalless, with PSV struggling to capitalize on possession and Juventus content to maintain their 2-1 lead going into the second half in Turin.
With 53 minutes left in the tie, PSV were back in the tie with a magnificent goal, the home side pressing for a goal to keep the tie at a bay.
Ivan Perisic, a veteran Croatian attacker, had a great control of the ball and drilled an unstoppable shot into the corner after Noa Lang beat two Juventus defenders and delivered a pinpoint pass to him.
“That’s the type of player I am. I like it when there are a lot of guys in front of me, when I’m double-covered a bit”, said man-of-the-match Lang.
“I like that better than one-on-one. That may sound strange, but I like the bigger challenge”.
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 , ‘Unforgettable evening ‘
Lang curled a shot past the post before De Jong saw his header cleared off the line, and PSV were well on top.
However, the Serie A side regained the aggregate lead against the run of play with a fantastic strike from Timothy Weah who fired a low shot past Walter Benitez from outside the penalty area.
Ismael Saibari, a Moroccan midfielder, seized on a goalmouth scramble to smash the ball into the top corner, and PSV continued to press hard until the pressure finally paid off.
The Dutch champions had a number of agonizing chances to end the match in the final five minutes, Lang particularly denied by an outstretched foot from goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio, with the score at 3-3 on aggregate.
In the second minute of extra time, Saibari wasted a chance to give himself the lead by scuffing his shot past Di Gregorio when he was clean through on goal.
The hosts then took the lead when Flamingo slammed into some confusion in the Juventus defense to direct a point-blank shot home.
“You just have to be there. I used to be a striker, so I have a nose for it”, joked Flamingo, who now has three Champions League goals to his name.
Dusan Vlahovic, a Serbian striker, had no luck to see his effort rebound off the post, so the pressure was now on Juventus to attack.
The PSV faithful endured a grueling second half of extra time, but their defense held on to a strong defense to cap a memorable night in Eindhoven.
After Feyenoord sent AC Milan packing and Atalanta lost to Club Brugge, the defeat put an end to the Italian clubs’ miserable play-off campaign.
“It was a really good atmosphere today,” he said. Every moment was great. It was an unforgettable evening”, said match-winner Flamingo.
Source: Channels TV
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