PSV begins new season in the Eredivisie on Saturday at 7:45 pm. The Dutch champion kicks off in Utrecht, where it meets FC Utrecht. In 2008 both teams also opened the season against each other in Utrecht. Back then, PSV won 5-1. PSV.nl looks ahead to the start of the Eredivisie with five facts about FC Utrecht - PSV.
Match away
For the ninth time in ten seasons, PSV starts the league with an away game. Only in 2009 the club opened at home and few PSV supporters will remember that with much joy. They drew 3-3 against VVV-Venlo at Philips Stadium.
5-1
In 2008, PSV did start with an away game. As brand-new national champions, PSV played the first premier league match of the 2008-2009 season in Utrecht against FC Utrecht on August 30 of that year. It was head coach Huub Stevens' debut on the bench during a PSV premier league game, and he saw his team outscore the Dom city 5-1 at the time. On behalf of PSV, Ibrahim Afellay (2), Danny Koevermans (2) and Nordin Amrabat scored. Rafeal Uiterloo scored the honorary goal in the 90th minute.
Ibrahim Afellay scored PSV's first goal of the season in 2008 against FC Utrecht
A past away syndrome
For years, PSV struggled during away matches, which more than once resulted in losing points. Coach Phillip Cocu helped the club overcome the deadlock. Last season, his team was even better on foreign soil than at Philips Stadium. While PSV took as many points off as at home last season (42), the goal difference in other stadium was just slightly better than in front of home crowd (47-16 to 41-16).
Winning
PSV won the last nine away matches of last premier league season. Only twice did PSV record longer runs: 12 consecutive away wins between 1987-1988 and 11 between 1985-1986.
Goals
PSV scored at least once in each of its last 30 away matches in the Eredivisie. Only FC Twente (33, 2010-2012) and sc Heerenveen (46, 1995-1998) ever recorded a longer scoring streak in away matches.
PSV scored at least once in the last 30 away games. Can PSV also cheer Saturday against FC Utrecht?