PSV Eindhoven 1-1 Borussia Dortmund: Luuk de Jong’s Controversial Penalty Ensures All Stay Levelled Ahead of Second Leg in Germany
The UEFA Champions League first knockout stage has not disappointed thus far, and PSV Eindhoven and Borussia Dortmund continued the excitement as Luuk de Jong cancelled out Donyell Malen’s opener to ensure the spoils remain shared at the Philips Stadium. PSV, with top scorer Luuk de Jong, were undefeated in the Eredivisie this season and won all 11 matches at home were some bookie’s favourites for the fixture, but Dortmund themselves were on a resurgence thanks to the return of Jadon Sancho. Thus, a close and intense game unfolded in Eindhoven, and both teams will feel contempt with the 1-1 scoreline heading into the second leg in three weeks.
Luuk de Jong Overtaked Ruud Van Nistelrooy as PSV’s Leading UCL Goalscorer
Despite participating in their first Champions League knockout tie in eight seasons, PSV looked the part from the onset as they contested their German opposition at every position, with both teams eager for a breakthrough. Unfortunately for the Dutch hosts, Dortmund drew first blood, and to make it a double whammy, their former winger Donyell Malen was the scorer, as his tight angle shot caught the slightest clip of a deflection and headed into the top corner.
After scoring, the 25-year-old, who spent four years and scored 55 goals in 116 games for PSV, refused to celebrate out of respect, and the home crowd respected it, with some fans applauding the gesture. Regardless, PSV fell behind at home, and they were determined to keep hold of their 30-game unbeaten run in all competition at home as they charged the German’s goal with numbers.
However, it was not until the start of the second half that they got their most clear-cut opportunity from a penalty. As Luuk de Jong stood long and contemplated his options from the spot, Hummels felt livid with the decision as he felt he took the ball before the player, but VAR deemed the follow-through enough for a foul. Thus, after a minute delay, Luuk de Jong confidently stroked his pen past the keeper, breaking Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s record as PSV’s highest goalscorer in the competition with nine and recording his 28th goal this campaign.
Luuk de Jong Laughed off Critics as One of the 100 Worst Premier League Strikers
Prior to this encounter with Dortmund, Luuk de Jong was interviewed regarding his thoughts on Daily Mail, including him at No. 75 in their top 100 worst Premier League strikers. In response, Luuk de Jong joyfully laughed: “Really? When I only played 12 matches and not all of them from the start? And not in my position, either? Oh well, that’s the football world, you know. I was young. I think I am better armed now to take on Premier League defenders. It’s about your response to adversity. That makes the difference.”
As for the difference, Luuk de Jong references his coach, Peter Bosz, as a massive factor. “I like to work hard, run a lot, grab the opponent by the neck. The coach has a lot of experience and has thought out every situation completely. He gives us confidence; he constantly drinks coffee with everyone.”
Speaking of Peter Bosz, he acknowledged the match was intense and felt contempt for the draw. “It was an open game. We had difficulty in the beginning with their pressing, but we still managed to create a few big chances, Tillman in particular, in the first half. So it was a shame that we didn’t take the lead especially because we then went behind. It was a very intense match on a difficult pitch. They didn’t counter very often, and we had it under control, so in that respect, it’s a pity we didn’t score a second. I don’t think the fact that it was a Champions League match had too much impact.”
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Everything to Play for in This Season’s UEFA Champions League Knockout Stage
This season’s UEFA Champions League knockout stage is already shaping up to be a much closer exchange than seasons before, as every team could flip the tie on their given day. For example, including today’s other match between Inter Milan and Atlético de Madrid, there is no matchup that has more than a two-goal cushion heading into the return fixture.
Thus, with the second leg at Signal Iduna Park in three weeks’ time, a result on either side would not surprise us as Glenn Hoddle said on TNT Sports: “There’s nothing between these two teams. I think they proved that tonight. PSV might have shaded it with the momentum that they had in the second half.”
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