First-half goals from Pablo Rosario and Denzel Dumfries and an injury time goal from substitute Bruma helped PSV to a 3-1 victory against FC Groningen in the Philips Stadion on Wednesday evening. Ramon Pascal Lundqvist reduced the deficit in the 71st minute.
First-half goals by Rosario and Dumfries
PSV’s head coach Mark van Bommel rotated his squad amid a hectic fixture list, handing a first start to Ritsu Doan, who joined PSV from FC Groningen. He also included Daniel Schwaab, Cody Gakpo and Olivier Boscagli in his starting line-up.
PSV started lively in their fourth home game in twelve days’ time. They comfortably passed the ball around and waited for their chances, forcing the visitors to drop deep. They took the lead on twelve minutes, with Pablo Rosario opening his scoring account for PSV this season. Steven Bergwijn played in PSV’s captain, who unleashed a shot just outside the penalty area that flew into the net off the far post: 1-0. PSV put in a dominant first-half display, playing some nice one-touch football, and they deservedly doubled their lead on 38 minutes. Right back Denzel Dumfries was at the end of a well-worked move involving Rosario and Malen, who squared for PSV’s right back to slot home at the near post: 2-0. FC Groningen all but halved the deficit when Lundqvist rattled the post with a free-kick from 30 yards out in the 43rd minute.
Lundqvist reduced deficit for FC Groningen; Bruma added a third in injury time
The second half continued in the same way, with PSV enjoying possession of the ball. Jorrit Hendrix sent a long ball into the path of Donyell Malen who had his shot palmed away by FC Groningen keeper Sergio Padt for a corner. Mohamed Ihattaren replaced Donyell Malen in the 59th minute. FC Groningen had little to offer in a poor second half but reduced the deficit out of the blue in the 71st minute. It was game on when Ramon Pascal Lundqvist scored a goal against his former club. The visitors hoped to salvage a point, while PSV looked to hold on for a narrow win. The two substitutes, Ihattaren and Bruma, tried their luck from long range. Cody Gakpo made way for Bruma in the 79th minute. Michal Sadilek came on for Boscagli in the 88th minute. A goal from substitute Bruma in the first minute of added time wrapped up a vital three points.
PSV will be back in league action on Sunday when they travel to Zwolle to face PEC in round 8 of the 2019/20 season.