The drive from Eindhoven to Utrecht takes just over an hour on average. A relevant distance, as many (former) PSV players make this trip regularly. PSV has long-term ties with both the city of Utrecht and the football club.
Domstad and Lichtstad
Both teams have players with a history with their opponents. Bart Ramselaar made the switch from PSV back to his old club FC Utrecht this summer. Via AZ, former PSV player Adam Maher joined the Dom's squad at the same time. Justin Lonwijk, a PSV youth exponent, also joined FC Utrecht this year. PSV added Robbin Ruiter to its goalkeeping guard this summer. The goalkeeper spent five years under the crossbar at FC Utrecht. Assistant coach Reinier Robbemond also played five years in the Domstad, between 1996 and 2001.
Old Guard
The link to Utrecht is not only found in the current selection. A number of PSV greats are very familiar with the club. Hans van Breukelen played ten successful years at PSV. But he started his career under the crossbar at FC Utrecht in the city where he was born and raised. In the golden year of 1988, Gerald Vanenburg was a regular at PSV. But he himself was a native of Utrecht, having later played half a season in his hometown.
Utrecht-based PSV players
PSV players Mohamed Ihattaren and Ibrahim Afellay are both born Utrechters. Both are midfielders of Moroccan descent raised in Utrecht who went through the PSV training program. The only differences between the two are the age gap and the fact that Afellay grew up in the Overvecht neighborhood and Ihattaren in Kanaleneiland. But both are true Utrecht PSV players.
Throwback
One of the most memorable games against FC Utrecht was the home game in the 1996-1997 season. With three games to go, PSV was on championship course, four points ahead of Feyenoord. A win now would mean that PSV could secure the championship a week later at home against Willem II. With much excitement, PSV started the match, but confidence soon came. Gilles de Bilde put the 1-0 in the goal after five minutes of play. Before halftime, Luc Nilis made two more to seal the match. De Bilde and Nilis both scored another goal after halftime. None other than Gerald Vanenburg did something back on behalf of Utrecht, but to no avail. Boudewijn Zenden shot the 6-1 into the net and PSV could begin preparations for the championship celebration.
Baptism by fire Van Bommel
Coach Mark van Bommel will have fond memories of encounters with FC Utrecht. His first league game as head coach of PSV was against the Domstadelingen. After fifteen minutes it was Gastón Pereiro who scored the first PSV goal of the season from a free kick. In the second half, Hirving Lozano, Steven Bergwijn and Denzel Dumfries also poked in a goal. Van Bommel's debut couldn't have gone much better.