PSV again show two faces

Saturday 06 December 2008

PSV went 0-2 down in an abysmal first half, but then scored 4 within 15 minutes in the second to beat FC Groningen in what was the visitors 1000th game in the Eredivisie.

After they came from 2-0 in Heerenveen last week, they managed that feat again today.

Huub Stevens was optimistic on Friday, telling the gathered press about the team building events he had organized during the week.

The team building events were aimed at leading PSV up and out of the dip the team has been in this season.

But Stevens had hardly finished his last sentence when defender Carlos Salcido spoke out saying how Stevens had 'mentally cracked him' and that in January he would 'pack up and leave PSV.

Talking about good teambuilding...

Despite his remarkable words Salcido was in the starting lineup today against FC Groningen.

The Mexican was jeered by the PSV fans, but they quite soon realized they should jeer the entire side.

PSV's play in the first half was abysmal and FC Groningen dominated them on all aspects of the game.

It was thus no surprise that the visitors took the lead after half an hour and doubled that lead just before the referee blew his whistle for half-time.

Especially that second goal showed the weakness of PSV's defense as three Groningen players were left unmarked in the penalty area when Goran Lovra tapped in a perfect Petter Andersson cross.

The reigning champions seemed to be heading for their second home defeat of the season and their sixth loss in the league this season when a mad fifteen minutes at the start of the second half turned everything around.

Stevens had taken off the disappointing Nijland and Wuytens and put on Otman Bakkal and Nordin Amrabat.

Their entrance gave the hosts a new impulse.

Amrabat was a constant menace for PSV on the left and Bakkal scored two to put PSV level.

Before Groningen knew what had happened Lazovic netted a third for PSV and then the Serb gave the visitors the final blow to make it 4-2.

For Groningen it meant the third defeat in a row and after their had been talk of a possible championship for the team of Ron Jans the boys from the north will now only be thinking how they can get their show back on the road.

PSV's troubles are far from over because also in the second half their defense remained shaky, but Stevens will be happy to have Nordin Amrabat back to fitness as the youngster straight away influenced the course of the game.

PSV - FC Groningen 4-2
0-1 31' M. Berg
0-2 46' G. Lovré
1-2 54' O. Bakkal
2-2 57' O. Bakkal
3-2 61' D. Lazovic
4-2 69' D. Lazovic