Shakhtar return to the scene of the 95th minute
You know the record. PSV have lost their first Champions League match in each of the last five campaigns, so Thursday's home opener against Shakhtar Donetsk carries more than three points. This one also carries the memory of that night. On 27 November 2024, PSV were 0–2 down in the 87th minute, then left Philips Stadion with a 3–2 win after stoppage time (13). Less than two years later, Shakhtar are back in the same stadium, and PSV want a first opening-round win since 2015-16 (1) (4). Kickoff is Thursday 10 September at 18:45.
You go into this on four straight league wins, including a 1–3 win away at Ajax on Saturday. Form is not the problem. The opening-round curse is.
Bosz reshuffles, Kostic gets his full debut
Voetbalzone's predicted XI has Kovar in goal, then Dest, Geertruida, Obispo and Kostic across the back. Wanner, Sano and Til in midfield, with Perisic, Pepi and Van Bommel up front (5). Filip Kostic is the new name here, set for his first full start since arriving, and Bosz is expected to make changes in several positions (5).
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Mauro Júnior called up by Brazil for the first time
Your captain is in. Carlo Ancelotti named his first Brazil squad since the 2026 World Cup, a 26-man group for friendlies against Australia and India, and Mauro Júnior is in it (8) (10) (11). At 27, the left-back gets his first senior opportunity and could make his international debut this month (10) (11). Fans celebrated the news as soon as it landed (12) (14).
Van Bommel's abuse storm lands right before Shakhtar
Ruben van Bommel is in the middle of a social media pile-on after his hard foul on Ajax's Bouwman on Saturday (9). The threats and abuse have not stayed quiet, and he has to play a Champions League match on Thursday. The question being asked is a simple one: "What do we win with this?" (9).
Niek Schiks opens up on leaving PSV
The 22-year-old goalkeeper is on loan at RKC Waalwijk, and he does not hide that the move was personal. "A step had to be taken on a personal level," Schiks said (7). The tears after his official debut for PSV did not go unnoticed, either (7).
Fan-reaktioner
The mood around Mauro Júnior's Brazil call-up is pure pride, with supporters celebrating their captain's first Seleção recognition on the back of that 1–3 win at Ajax. There is also real curiosity from Brazilian fans who admit they had never heard of him before the call-up, and PSV fans are more than happy to tell them what they have been missing. The most relevant thread is here
