Like the big men, a game against Feyenoord is not just any game. But always one with a special charge. So was this match. Because in a direct duel it was about nothing more and less than who took the lead (for the time being?).

PSV was in the best position with 16 points from six games. Feyenoord followed in 2nd place with 14 points from 6 games. However, Feyenoord's goal difference was clearly different with 32 goals for and 10 against, where PSV recorded 17 to 2.

The first chance of the match was for PSV when in the 3rd minute Robin Schoonbrood quickly and cleverly took a free kick, sending Leandro Fernandes away on the left. The latter shot at goal but the ball was cleared just before the goal line. A little later, Yasin Aalillou had a great opportunity. His shot was stopped by the Feyenoord goalkeeper. Instead of shooting himself, opting for the vacant Leandro Fernandes might have hurt Feyenoord more.

Slowly the game became more balanced and goalkeeper Arne Lekens had to save when a Feyenoord player suddenly appeared in front of him in the 7th minute. After both teams missed some small chances, Feyenoord was awarded a penalty in the 19th minute. Right back Baggio Wallenburg brought down his opponent inside the infamous lines. This earned him not only a yellow card, but also a penalty. The penalty was shot in and left goalkeeper Arne completely defenseless: 0-1.

PSV lost the thread for a moment but luckily could find it again. The game went up and down and the spectators were treated to a nice game of football. PSV went close with shots from Justin Lonwijk and Cody Gakpo. Feyenoord went close to the 0-2 when a volley from the right back was tapped out of the goalmouth by Arne with a stylish floating dive. PSV briefly struggled to get under the pressure but still made it to halftime unscathed.

After halftime the game slipped a little. PSV was too eager and too rushed at times. Feyenoord lurked on the switch with their deep midfielders.

After Armando Obispo was lucky to get a yellow card after a hard tackle, PSV went close to an equalizer in the 44th minute. A cross from the left by Lars Dickens was cleared just in front of the incoming Cody Gakpo. A few minutes later, James Fofana sent away right-winger Yasin Aalillou with a velvet pass, who eventually dragged out a corner. This was unfortunately headed just over by Armando Obispo.

In the 52nd minute, a ball was kicked blindly forward by the Rotterdam left back. However, the ball fell just behind James Fofana who then had to chase the Feyenoord forward. At the cost of a foul, he was able to avoid danger. Unfortunately for him, the foul was inside the 16 meters, giving Feyenoord another penalty by the excellent referee. In addition, James also received a yellow card. The same player who shot the first pingel was behind the ball. But this time Arne Lekens saved the ball! And it remained 0-1.

A minute later Armando Obispo sent Leandro Fernandes away on the left. However, his cross was tapped away just in front of Cody Gakpo, who stormed in again. With 10 minutes left to play, PSV swooned when a cross from the right side by James Fofana went back into the field via the crossbar.

To try to force something in the closing stages, the Eindhoven side went into the final phase of the game playing 1-on-1 at the back by sending Armando to the front line. However, it was Yasin Aalillou who had THE chance for the equalizer in the 62nd minute. Cody Gakpo was put free in front of the goalkeeper by Gaetan Bosiers, but bumped into the goalkeeper's leg. The ball ended up at the feet of Yasin who, instead of scoring, shot the ball over from close range. In the counter attack goalkeeper Arne Lekens saved again in a 1-on-1 situation.

Just before time a long ball from Arne went to Leandro Fernandes who was stopped irregularly on the edge of the 16 meters. This earned a Feyenoord player his second yellow card and he had to leave the field. The free kick that remained was in a great spot for a left-winger. And so Armando positioned himself behind the ball. His effort changed direction through the Rotterdam wall, putting the goalkeeper on the wrong foot and the ball ended up in the other corner: 1-1!

In the final minute, PSV got away well when a counter ended up at the post. The result was a 1-1 draw. Considering that Feyenoord saw a penalty saved and hit both the post and crossbar, the Eindhoven team was the happiest. Given the play of the game, however, a draw was more than deserved. And the visitors could be declared winners.

And so the first match of the Rotterdam triptych ended in a draw and the gap between the two teams remained 2 points. Next week follows Excelsior and then Sparta, the new number 2.


Arne Lekens; Baggio Wallenburg, James Fofana, Armando Obispo, Lars Dickens; Gaetan Bosiers, Robin Schoonbrood (44' Jordan Teze), Justin Lonwijk (c) (54' Davy van de Berg); Yasin Aalillou, Cody Gakpo, Leandro Fernandes.

Yellow cards: Baggio Wallenburg, Armando Obispo and James Fofana.