After going 0-0 in England exactly a week ago, Leicester City FC came to Eindhoven for the return in the quarterfinals of the Conference League. PSV started the match very well. For a long time it seemed hard on its way to the semifinals, but the adventure stranded here after a painful final stage.
Struggle
A swirling Philips Stadium was the setting for the crucial return against Leicester City. After a 0-0 draw in England, anything could still happen. Under the deafening chants of the thousands of supporters, PSV did everything possible to reach the semifinals of the Conference League. After a few exciting minutes, the first big chance was for PSV. After a good run by Philipp Max, Mario Götze was able to hit a cross towards Eran Zahavi. The ball almost reached his end, but the striker came just a toe length short. The English opponent offered a lot of resistance, but PSV kept its back straight. Max had an excellent cross in, allowing Götze to shoot. Leicester goalkeeper Schmeichel narrowly saved the effort. But more and more often PSV came through on the flanks and were able to hit crosses that cornered the English defense.
Zahavi scores
Most of the ball possession was in red and white hands, but Leicester City proved no easy team to get past. Mauro JR made a brilliant effort with a fierce shot from distance. Schmeichel, however, was not surprised and tapped the ball away. After a considerable struggle, it was PSV who took the deserved opening goal. The way of putting pressure paid off when Mario Götze captured the ball close to the goal. The German midfielder played it off to Eran Zahavi who made the Philips Stadium explode after he shot from a difficult angle. The supporters made themselves heard with an unprecedented volume. Moments later, Leicester City became dangerous from a corner, but Jordan Teze pulled the ball off the line with a half-turn, which also got him cheered from the stands. PSV showed great fighting spirit and fought to keep the lead in their hands.
Football battle
The same eleven players as in the first half entered the field to loud applause. The opponent made two changes, which only confirmed that PSV was the superior side in the first half. After a few minutes, Cody Gakpo stormed towards the English goal. His shot was turned away, but the tone was again set. Veerman also tried his luck from distance and Zahavi twice came close to scoring with his head. The team showed supremacy on the pitch, but that doesn't mean Leicester City was hopeless. They came to corner kicks, but they yielded nothing as Yvon Mvogo showed strength in the air. As the decibels were raised by the supporters, the team was allowed to get ready for an exciting final stage.
Painful end
The crowd went at it again, as with a 1-0 lead, nothing was certain anymore. The semifinal was within reach when Sangaré was put away by Gakpo, but he failed to find the net. At the other end, Leicester City equalized a few minutes later. That meant PSV had to get going again in the final stages. It had 10 minutes to regain the lead. The team fought with all the energy it had left. Mvogo showed ironclad strength with two crucial saves, but things went from bad to worse when Leicester City narrowly made their second of the match. The Philips Stadium remained behind PSV with hopes of a sensation. Unfortunately, it was no longer in the cards and here ended PSV's European adventure.
