PSV start UEFA Champions League campaign with a 1-1 home draw against Shakhtar Donetsk

PSV picked up a point on Thursday evening at home against Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League. The Eindhovenaren conceded in the last minute before halftime and then scored in the first minutes after the break for a 1-1 final score.

The 1-1 draw marks the fourth consecutive year that PSV have failed to win their first Champions League game of the season. This is an improvement compared to the last three seasons when they lost their first game.

PSV were missing the player who captained the side in the win away against Ajax last weekend, as Mauro Junior had to miss the game through suspension. He was replaced by Filip Kostic. One more change was made to the side with Noah Fernandez dropping to the bench for Paul Wanner in midfield.

It was an uneventful first half with both sides keeping each other under control in a mostly tactical battle. Ivan Perisic was the only player to come close to a goal in the first 40 minutes, but his volley went inches over. But it was the Ukrainians who went into the break with the lead.

PSV supporters felt they should have had a foul for a tackle on their right back Sergino Dest in midfield, but the referee Umut Meler did not award the free kick, and Shakhtar took full advantage, with their left winger Gleiker Mendoza cutting inside before hitting a low shot into the far corner.

The second half also proved to be more of the same, although it had a dramatic start with PSV equalizing with three minutes played. It was two defenders who combined in Shakhtar’s penalty area, with Armando Obispo playing a pass across to the box to the onrushing Dest, who sidefooted it perfectly into the far corner.

A lot of the energy in the second half came from and for the referee. Meler handed out a total of 10 yellow cards, although both teams showed no disrespect towards each other and the game was played in fair spirit.

Although PSV have a reasonably suitable draw to make the top 24 of the competition, this will be seen as one of their biggest chances of a win. Peter Bosz’s side will also be looking towards games against Club Brugge and Viking FK as winnable matches. Their two games against Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid will likely be their toughest matches.