Spectacle, goals and a draw which does not suit anyone… Forced to react after two setbacks against Girona (0-2) and Arsenal (0-1), the PSG Espoirs continue to stand still in Youth League, unable to beat PSV Eindhoven (3-3), who also suffered two defeats during their first outings in the competition. There was room, however, to score a first success, but too much waste and largely avoidable defensive errors deprived David Suarez’s men of a better result.
The start of the match, initiated by the Dutch, must not have pleased Luis Campos, present in the stands to watch the match. After a first dangerous shot from Van den Berg, PSV opened the scoring through Kuit (0-1, 7th), left five minutes later due to injury. The reinforcement of Ibrahim Mbaye, used to professional games this season, brought a little dynamism to the left wing, but it was from the other side that the charge came after a good job by ‘Ayari headed by Khafi (1-1, 19th).
This goal should have launched them, but while the Parisians had regained momentum, Merien with a good header gave PSV the advantage (1-2, 38th). It was there that Sangaré decided to come out of hiding to take out the jewel of the afternoon. With a missile into the opposite corner, he sent the goalkeeper to torture for the equalizer before the break (2-2, 40th). A goal which restored confidence to the whole group, much more convincing after returning from the locker room.
The youngest player on the field, this Wednesday, October 22, the young Boly started the 3-2 goal with a tumble in his right lane pushed deep by Khafi, author of a double (3-2, 63rd). Sangaré had the opportunity to add to the score, but Smolenaars deprived him of it by making two remarkable saves (69th, 79th). We didn’t know it yet, but PSG were going to regret it… In one of PSV’s rare hot situations in the second half, Van Duiven gave Eindhoven the point of a draw by beating poor Laurendon, in great difficulty in his cage (3-3, 79th). Enough to enrage Paris, which went from being nothing short of victory to a final mix-up…
The player: Yanis Khafi
This Tuesday at the PSG Campus, Yanis Khafi started for the first time in the Youth League. Coming into play four times in the competition, the midfielder honored this start by scoring twice. First by heading back at the far post, a blocked shot from Adam Ayari for the Parisian equalizer (1-1, 20th). Then staying on the lookout to take a ball pushed back from the penalty spot by the PSV goalkeeper (3-2, 63rd), before being replaced a minute later. Absent from the starting eleven during the first two European matches of the season, the midfielder under professional trainee contract, who is being courted by the Algerian and Moroccan selections, has certainly scored points in view of the next match… against Atlético Madrid, on November 6.
The number: 0
Held in check on home turf by PSV Eindhoven (0-0), Paris obtained its first in the Youth League. This is the first time since the creation of the competition that the capital club has not won any of its first three matches.
Technical sheet
Half time: 2-2
Referee: Adam Ladebäck (SUE)
But. PSG: Khafi (19th, 63rd), Sangaré (40th). PSV: Kluit (7th), Merien (38th), Van Duiven (79th)
PSG : Laurendon – Boly (Nzinga, 83e), Diandaga, El Hannach, Cordier – Tape (Abo El Nay, 83e), Diaby (cap.), Khafi (Fanne Drame, 64e) – Sangaré, Ayari (Jangeal, 64e), Mbaye. Enter. : David Suarez.
PSV : Smolenaars – Waayers, Bresser, Van Hoogen, Bos (cap.) – Van den Berg, Merien, Fernandez (Raap, 72nd) – Kluit (Bahaty, 12th), Van Duiven, Thomas (Bassey, 72nd). Entr. : Vincent Heilmann.
