Every week Gracenote finds out what you need to know about the matches played by PSV. FC Groningen - PSV was the last match played in the Eredivisie on March 8 this year, before the league was shut down. Now both teams face each other again in the first round of play.
Milestone
PSV could become the second team with 5,000 Eredivisie goals this season. Before the start of the league, the club stands at 4966 goals at the highest level. There is a plausible chance that PSV will pass this mark somewhere halfway through the season.
Opening match
In the last seven seasons, PSV is unbeaten in the first round of the Eredivisie. The last time the team went down in the opening game was on August 11, 2012. At the time, RKC Waalwijk was too strong for PSV by 3-2. In the seven subsequent seasons, PSV won the first game five times and drew twice.
Strong run at Groningen
Back to the 2013-2014 season, when PSV last left Groningen without at least one point. On Oct. 20, 2013, PSV left the Euroborg with a 1-0 defeat. The editions after that, PSV managed to win four times. Twice a draw was the final result.
Three times
FC Groningen - PSV has taken place four times in the history of the Eredivisie in the first round of play. PSV did not lose any of those duels. However, they won only once. In 1993 PSV triumphed 1-2 in Groningen. The other two editions ended in a draw: 1-1 in 1972-1973 and 2-2 in 2001-2002.
Malen of value
Donyell Malen could make his comeback for PSV in the Eredivisie after long injury. Last season PSV won nine of the fourteen games with Malen (W9-G3-V2). Without the striker, PSV did significantly less. In the twelve matches without him, PSV took three points only five times (W5-G4-V3).
Man of assists
The Mauro Júnior, rented to Heracles Almelo last year, accounted for seven assists in service to the Almeloërs last season. The only PSV player with more assists in the 2019-2020 season is no longer playing in Eindhoven. Steven Bergwijn provided 10 assists last season.
Beloved opponent
Denzel Dumfries enjoys playing against FC Groningen. The right-back has been involved in as many goals (3 goals and 3 assists) in six games against FC Groningen. Against no other opponent did Dumfries score or assist more often.
Swiss goalkeeper
Never before has a goalkeeper from Switzerland been under the crossbar during an Eredivisie match. Yvon Mvogo could become the fifth Swiss to play for PSV in the Eredivisie. Last season, mercenary Ricardo Rodríquez played six games for PSV. Furthermore, Toni Allemann (25 matches), Johan Vonlanthen (29) and Johann Vogel (169) preceded him.
German coach
Roger Schmidt will make his official debut on the PSV bench against FC Groningen. He is only the second German coach to serve PSV. Kurt Linder was the first. He was head coach of PSV between 1968 and 1972.
Superstition
PSV was fourth in the Eredivisie at last season's shutdown, the worst result for the club since its first year under Phillip Cocu in 2013-2014 (also fourth). PSV and Cocu won the title the following year.