Skip to main content

PSV sends Ajax warning shot for 21/22 Eredivisie Editor’s note: World Soccer Talk writer Mike Tyrrell looks ahead and shares his PSV Eindhoven season preview. PSV Eindhoven, led by Noni Madueke, routed Ajax 4-0 last Saturday in the annual season curtain-raiser, the Johan Cruyff Shield (Dutch-equivalent to the English Community Shield).  A first-half brace from Madueke followed by second-half strikes from substitute Yorbe Vertessen and Mario Götze condemned Ajax to their worst defeat against a domestic opponent since January 2019. PSV also were aided by Ajax left-back Nicolás Tagliafico’s reckless red card five minutes before the half, which enabled the two late-second-half goals to pile on further misery. For Madueke, 2021/22 will be a massive season. Following a year in which he scored seven Eredivisie goals and contributed four assists, several clubs abroad are already monitoring the youngster, and his stock will unquestionably have skyrocketed after last week’s victory.   PSV Eindhoven season preview The significance of the outcome for PSV cannot be overstated. Domestically, it was the club’s first win over Ajax in three years and the largest since September 2013.  Despite their second place finish in the league this past season, PSV Eindhoven struggled against top competition. The club did not win any any of their matches against Ajax, Feyenoord and AZ Alkmaar. They came close twice against Ajax, drawing in both their league meetings. This includes conceding an equalizer in the 92nd minute at home against Ajax after leading 2-0. However, the 4-0 win in the Johan Cruyff Shield may end up becoming a psychological turning point for PSV in the Eredivisie. Additionally, the club’s success in UEFA Champions League qualification will only boost their spirits. Four wins in four games against decent opposition can go a long way in terms of development. To emphasize, a dominating 7-2 aggregate rout of Galatasaray preceded two shutout wins over Danish side Midjtylland, 4-0 on aggregate. The victories put manager Roger Schmidt’s side one tie away from the Champions League group stage. Their final hurdle is a two-game tie against Portuguese side Benfica. Yet, European dominance might be too tall of an order for this season. The Eredivisie is undoubtedly their primary focus.   With our feed on the ground. Our sleeves rolled up. We never look down. Always straight ahead. Fighting for our fans. For our colours. In our new @pumafootball 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐊𝐢𝐭 #FeelTheElectricity pic.twitter.com/rfmHgNZkiL — PSV International (@psveindhoven) July 8, 2021 A talented, dangerous side PSV’s squad is surely capable of achieving this.  Despite the loss of Donyell Malen, who bagged a team-high 19 last season, there are attacking options in the wake. Zahavi and speedy winger Cody Gakpo, scorers of 11 and seven goals in 2020/21 respectively, join Madueke as the strike force. Left-back Philipp Max contributed eight assists, mostly from getting up the pitch and crossing into the box. Midfielder Götze, who joined PSV from Dortmund on a free transfer last summer, has also settled into Dutch football.  He has already scored four times this season, showcasing his raw talent and ability that once prompted Pep Guardiola and Bayern Munich to spend over $40 million on him back in 2013. Then there is star right-back and club captain Denzel Dumfries. The 25-year-old Dutch international starred at Euro 2020, where his impressive performances have attracted attention from the likes of Everton and Inter Milan.  If PSV were to lose their leader it would be a huge setback, but they have prepared for the eventuality. Dumfries’ expected replacement is Austrian Phillipp Mwene, who has started in the right-back position for all four of PSV’s competitive matches, after joining the Dutch club on a free transfer from Mainz in June.  His performance this season will go a long way in determining how far PSV can go toward dethroning Ajax. It is only one match, but Roger Schmidt and PSV set a warning for 2021/22. A 4-0 rout of the presumptive favorites does not go unnoticed.   Ajax’s plan going forward Despite Ajax suffering their worst defeat in two and a half years, there is no reason for the club to panic. Manager Erik ten Hag can point to the fact that after conceding the early goal to Madueke, his side responded superbly. Steven Berghuis hit the crossbar off a header in the eighth minute before Sébastian Haller had a goal disallowed due to offside via a VAR check. Ajax’s high pressing and movement were excellent, before getting hit on the break for PSV’s second.  Even then, they were still in the match, before Tagliafico’s careless sending off.  Unsurprisingly, it can be hard to enforce their team press and expanded movement playing down a man. Still, Ajax bring back the core of their title winning team that finished 16 points clear of PSV Eindhoven. Captain and talisman Dušan Tadić led the squad in both league goals (14) and assists (17) in 2020/21. Davy Klassen and Haller bring more attacking threat, posting 12 and 11 goals respectively.  Haller’s production is especially expected to skyrocket, considering he only signed for the club in January. Ten Hag can also count on 19-year-old midfield sensation Ryan Gravenberch, who made an appearance in all but two league matches last year. READ MORE: ESPN+ renews Eredivisie rights to continue coverage of Dutch football And then there is Berghuis, the 29-year-old right-winger who signed with Ajax for $6 million after four seasons with Feyenoord. The acquisition of Berghuis is a massive coup for the champions. First off, Berghuis brings exceptional talent to an already-deep squad. The winger slotted 18 goals to go along with 12 assists the previous season. Secondly, Ajax simultaneously, added a great talent and took one away from one of their rivals. Like Luis Figo transfering from Barcelona to Real Madrid, this transfer is one of the most controversial in Dutch history. While Berghuis is no Figo, he is still one of the most talented footballers in the Eredivisie, and his presence on this Ajax team will only make them more formidable. Keeping perspective on the match Yes, PSV Eindhoven lifted a trophy for the first time in four seasons. However, many supporters and pundits point out that this contest was largely a preseason game. Nevertheless, PSV’s shock rout over defending champions Ajax (in Ajax’s home ground) will serve as a wakeup call for the Amsterdam royalty. It may provide the Eredivisie with the competitive title race it desperately needs. Learn how to watch the upcoming Eredivisie title race.   Have any questions about our PSV Eindhoven season preview? Let us know in the comments section below.

Editor’s note: World Soccer Talk writer Mike Tyrrell looks ahead and shares his PSV Eindhoven season preview.

PSV Eindhoven, led by Noni Madueke, routed Ajax 4-0 last Saturday in the annual season curtain-raiser, the Johan Cruyff Shield (Dutch-equivalent to the English Community Shield).  A first-half brace from Madueke followed by second-half strikes from substitute Yorbe Vertessen and Mario Götze condemned Ajax to their worst defeat against a domestic opponent since January 2019. PSV also were aided by Ajax left-back Nicolás Tagliafico’s reckless red card five minutes before the half, which enabled the two late-second-half goals to pile on further misery.

For Madueke, 2021/22 will be a massive season. Following a year in which he scored seven Eredivisie goals and contributed four assists, several clubs abroad are already monitoring the youngster, and his stock will unquestionably have skyrocketed after last week’s victory.

 

PSV Eindhoven season preview

The significance of the outcome for PSV cannot be overstated. Domestically, it was the club’s first win over Ajax in three years and the largest since September 2013.  Despite their second place finish in the league this past season, PSV Eindhoven struggled against top competition. The club did not win any any of their matches against Ajax, Feyenoord and AZ Alkmaar. They came close twice against Ajax, drawing in both their league meetings. This includes conceding an equalizer in the 92nd minute at home against Ajax after leading 2-0.

However, the 4-0 win in the Johan Cruyff Shield may end up becoming a psychological turning point for PSV in the Eredivisie.

Additionally, the club’s success in UEFA Champions League qualification will only boost their spirits. Four wins in four games against decent opposition can go a long way in terms of development. To emphasize, a dominating 7-2 aggregate rout of Galatasaray preceded two shutout wins over Danish side Midjtylland, 4-0 on aggregate. The victories put manager Roger Schmidt’s side one tie away from the Champions League group stage. Their final hurdle is a two-game tie against Portuguese side Benfica.

Yet, European dominance might be too tall of an order for this season. The Eredivisie is undoubtedly their primary focus.

 

A talented, dangerous side

PSV’s squad is surely capable of achieving this.  Despite the loss of Donyell Malen, who bagged a team-high 19 last season, there are attacking options in the wake. Zahavi and speedy winger Cody Gakpo, scorers of 11 and seven goals in 2020/21 respectively, join Madueke as the strike force. Left-back Philipp Max contributed eight assists, mostly from getting up the pitch and crossing into the box. Midfielder Götze, who joined PSV from Dortmund on a free transfer last summer, has also settled into Dutch football.  He has already scored four times this season, showcasing his raw talent and ability that once prompted Pep Guardiola and Bayern Munich to spend over $40 million on him back in 2013.

Then there is star right-back and club captain Denzel Dumfries. The 25-year-old Dutch international starred at Euro 2020, where his impressive performances have attracted attention from the likes of Everton and Inter Milan.  If PSV were to lose their leader it would be a huge setback, but they have prepared for the eventuality. Dumfries’ expected replacement is Austrian Phillipp Mwene, who has started in the right-back position for all four of PSV’s competitive matches, after joining the Dutch club on a free transfer from Mainz in June.  His performance this season will go a long way in determining how far PSV can go toward dethroning Ajax.

It is only one match, but Roger Schmidt and PSV set a warning for 2021/22. A 4-0 rout of the presumptive favorites does not go unnoticed.

 

Ajax’s plan going forward

Despite Ajax suffering their worst defeat in two and a half years, there is no reason for the club to panic. Manager Erik ten Hag can point to the fact that after conceding the early goal to Madueke, his side responded superbly. Steven Berghuis hit the crossbar off a header in the eighth minute before Sébastian Haller had a goal disallowed due to offside via a VAR check. Ajax’s high pressing and movement were excellent, before getting hit on the break for PSV’s second.  Even then, they were still in the match, before Tagliafico’s careless sending off.  Unsurprisingly, it can be hard to enforce their team press and expanded movement playing down a man.

Still, Ajax bring back the core of their title winning team that finished 16 points clear of PSV Eindhoven. Captain and talisman Dušan Tadić led the squad in both league goals (14) and assists (17) in 2020/21. Davy Klassen and Haller bring more attacking threat, posting 12 and 11 goals respectively.  Haller’s production is especially expected to skyrocket, considering he only signed for the club in January. Ten Hag can also count on 19-year-old midfield sensation Ryan Gravenberch, who made an appearance in all but two league matches last year.

READ MORE: ESPN+ renews Eredivisie rights to continue coverage of Dutch football

And then there is Berghuis, the 29-year-old right-winger who signed with Ajax for $6 million after four seasons with Feyenoord. The acquisition of Berghuis is a massive coup for the champions. First off, Berghuis brings exceptional talent to an already-deep squad. The winger slotted 18 goals to go along with 12 assists the previous season. Secondly, Ajax simultaneously, added a great talent and took one away from one of their rivals. Like Luis Figo transfering from Barcelona to Real Madrid, this transfer is one of the most controversial in Dutch history. While Berghuis is no Figo, he is still one of the most talented footballers in the Eredivisie, and his presence on this Ajax team will only make them more formidable.

Keeping perspective on the match

Yes, PSV Eindhoven lifted a trophy for the first time in four seasons. However, many supporters and pundits point out that this contest was largely a preseason game.

Nevertheless, PSV’s shock rout over defending champions Ajax (in Ajax’s home ground) will serve as a wakeup call for the Amsterdam royalty. It may provide the Eredivisie with the competitive title race it desperately needs.

Learn how to watch the upcoming Eredivisie title race.

 

Have any questions about our PSV Eindhoven season preview? Let us know in the comments section below.



from World Soccer Talk https://ift.tt/3yUnKe0
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Xavi under no illusions ahead of fairytale on Barcelona return Barcelona (AFP) – Xavi Hernandez said he is prepared for the “biggest challenge of his career” before leaving Qatar for Spain on Saturday, as Barcelona’s legendary former midfielder returns home to take over as coach. Xavi’s appointment was confirmed by Barca in the early hours of Saturday morning and the 41-year-old will be presented to fans at Camp Nou on Monday. “I’m very happy as you can imagine, it’s the biggest challenge of my career,” Xavi told Spanish journalists at Doha airport. “I’m going home and I am very happy.” Xavi faces a huge challenge, with Barcelona adrift of La Liga’s top four, struggling to make the knock-out stages of the Champions League and grappling with debts of more than a billion euros. “I have also experienced bad situations,” Xavi said. “It’s not the best moment in the history of the club but I want to explain what my idea is and to work hard, to make a team. Obviously the first thing is to talk to the players to see how they are.” Xavi left Camp Nou to play for Qatari club Al Sadd in 2015, after making 767 appearances for Barcelona, with eight La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues among his 25 trophies. “It’s time to come home. Welcome, Xavi,” Barca tweeted in the early hours of Saturday morning, as Spain slept.  “It wasn’t goodbye, it was see you later,” it wrote, along with a video montage of the player’s departure in 2015. Barcelona said in a statement they had reached an agreement with Xavi to become first-team coach for the rest of the season and two more seasons, replacing the sacked Ronald Koeman. “It is expected that Xavi Hernandez will arrive in Barcelona this weekend and that on Monday 8, November his presentation as new FC Barcelona first team coach will take place in an event open to the public at Camp Nou,” it said. Nicknamed the “Maquina” (the Machine), Xavi is widely considered one of the club’s greatest players and there is huge excitement about his potential as a coach after his influence on the iconic Barca team managed by Pep Guardiola. His passing style was seen as the embodiment of Guardiola’s “tiki-taka” team that won the treble in 2009. “One of the greatest midfield maestros of all time, he helped redefine the art with his creative mind, pinpoint passing and sublime ability to read the game,” Barca said in their statement, heralding the return of “an absolute legend”. Al Sadd, which Xavi had coached since 2019, hours earlier said they had reached an agreement with Barca and posted photos on social media of the Spaniard saying goodbye to the players and staff. – ‘The dream’ – Barcelona’s attempt to appoint Xavi as Koeman’s successor had been held up on Friday over his Al Sadd release clause, with Xavi and Barca considering splitting the payment to complete the deal. Al Sadd said Barca had agreed to pay the clause in Xavi’s contract, which is reportedly set at around five million euros ($5.8 million), but Barcelona did not give any details of the deal in their statement. Spanish sports daily Marca headlined the club hero’s return and estimated the cost to Barca of sacking recent managers Ernesto Valverde, Quique Setien and Koeman at 32 million euros. Xavi had made no secret of his desire to return to Barcelona, which he joined through the club’s La Masia academy at the age of 11. “My main objective, when I can do it, is Barca,” Xavi told Marca last year. “It’s my home, that’s the dream.” Barcelona sat ninth in La Liga on Saturday morning, with concerns growing they might not qualify for next season’s Champions League. The club are also in dire financial straits, having posted debts of 1.35 billion euros. They could not afford to renew Lionel Messi’s contract in the summer, and the Argentine left for Paris Saint-Germain. Xavi will also be charged with improving the team’s style of play, which was a key criticism during the tenure of Koeman, another former Barca player. Xavi’s flight is due to touch down as Barca take on Celta Vigo in La Liga in Juan Barjuan’s last game as caretaker coach before he hands over to the man the fans are pinning their hopes on to turn the club around.

Barcelona (AFP) – Xavi Hernandez said he is prepared for the “biggest challenge of his career” before leaving Qatar for Spain on Saturday, as Barcelona’s legendary former midfielder returns home to take over as coach. Xavi’s appointment was confirmed by Barca in the early hours of Saturday morning and the 41-year-old will be presented to fans at Camp Nou on Monday. “I’m very happy as you can imagine, it’s the biggest challenge of my career,” Xavi told Spanish journalists at Doha airport. “I’m going home and I am very happy.” Xavi faces a huge challenge, with Barcelona adrift of La Liga’s top four, struggling to make the knock-out stages of the Champions League and grappling with debts of more than a billion euros. “I have also experienced bad situations,” Xavi said. “It’s not the best moment in the history of the club but I want to explain what my idea is and to work hard, to make a team. Obviously the first thing is to talk to the players to see how they are.” Xavi left...
Post a Comment
Read more

Rangers brush aside title rivals Hearts Glasgow (AFP) – Alfredo Morelos and Joe Aribo fired Rangers to a 2-0 win at Hearts on Sunday as the Scottish Premiership leaders extended their strong start under new boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst. Van Bronckhorst has won four successive league games since replacing Steven Gerrard after his predecessor’s move to Aston Villa. Morelos and Aribo scored in the early stages at Tynecastle, giving Rangers six consecutive league victories encompassing the end of Gerrard’s reign. Hearts had Josh Ginnelly sent off late on as they squandered a chance to close the gap on the champions. Rangers are 12 points clear of third placed Hearts and seven ahead of second placed Celtic, who host Motherwell later on Sunday. Van Bronckhorst made six changes to the Rangers side that began Thursday’s 1-1 draw at Lyon in the Europa League. Liam Boyce had a great chance to open the scoring for Hearts in the third minute when he ran on to John Souttar’s clipped ball over the top, but the Northern Ireland striker saw his lob tipped over by Allan McGregor. It was Rangers who scored with their first chance of the match after nine minutes when Ryan Kent’s cross reached Fashion Sakala and the Zambian cut the ball back to Morelos, who fired home from six yards out. Sakala shot just wide from close range moments later before Morelos headed wide from James Tavernier’s corner. Rangers’ second goal came in the 13th minute when Aribo ran on to a brilliant long diagonal from Connor Goldson and fired an angled low shot beyond the exposed Craig Gordon. Gary Mackay-Steven saw his angled shot pushed behind by McGregor early in the second half. Rangers had a let-off in the 53rd minute when Calvin Bassey knocked a Ginnelly cross off the underside of his own crossbar. Rangers remained a threat, however, and Scott Arfield and Sakala were both denied by saves from Gordon. Boyce fired over from close range after being set up by Mackay-Steven before Stephen Kingsley cracked a free kick off the bar from 30 yards out. In the 80th minute, Ginnelly was sent off after being shown a second yellow card for squaring up to Borna Barisic.

Glasgow (AFP) – Alfredo Morelos and Joe Aribo fired Rangers to a 2-0 win at Hearts on Sunday as the Scottish Premiership leaders extended their strong start under new boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst. Van Bronckhorst has won four successive league games since replacing Steven Gerrard after his predecessor’s move to Aston Villa. Morelos and Aribo scored in the early stages at Tynecastle, giving Rangers six consecutive league victories encompassing the end of Gerrard’s reign. Hearts had Josh Ginnelly sent off late on as they squandered a chance to close the gap on the champions. Rangers are 12 points clear of third placed Hearts and seven ahead of second placed Celtic, who host Motherwell later on Sunday. Van Bronckhorst made six changes to the Rangers side that began Thursday’s 1-1 draw at Lyon in the Europa League. Liam Boyce had a great chance to open the scoring for Hearts in the third minute when he ran on to John Souttar’s clipped ball over the top, but the Northern Ireland stri...
Post a Comment
Read more

Bayern down Mainz to go six points clear in the Bundesliga Berlin (AFP) – Defending champions Bayern Munich extended their lead at the top of the Bundesliga to six points on Saturday after coming from behind to seal a 2-1 home win against Mainz. Second-half goals by Kingsley Coman and 18-year-old Jamal Musiala sealed the victory behind closed doors at Munich’s Allianz Arena after Mainz had taken a shock lead. Bayern remain firmly on course to win the German league for the tenth straight season after stretching their lead at the top of the table as second-placed Dortmund were held 1-1 at Bochum. 

Berlin (AFP) – Defending champions Bayern Munich extended their lead at the top of the Bundesliga to six points on Saturday after coming from behind to seal a 2-1 home win against Mainz. Second-half goals by Kingsley Coman and 18-year-old Jamal Musiala sealed the victory behind closed doors at Munich’s Allianz Arena after Mainz had taken a shock lead. Bayern remain firmly on course to win the German league for the tenth straight season after stretching their lead at the top of the table as second-placed Dortmund were held 1-1 at Bochum.  from World Soccer Talk https://ift.tt/3lVLPNa
Post a Comment
Read more