The Shakhtar draw is the story, not the Ajax win
PSV drew 1–1 with Shakhtar Donetsk at home in the Champions League on Thursday (15). Valentijn Driessen called it a "disgrace" and a bomb under Dutch football (15). That is the week in one line: five league games, thirteen points, second place, a +12 goal difference, and still a cloud over Eindhoven.
Peter Bosz's team had just dismantled Ajax 3–1 away on September 5, their fourth straight league win (6). Four days later they could not beat a Shakhtar side they were expected to roll over. Both things are true, and the gap between them is the whole problem.
Bosz's side scores for fun and defends for none
Look at the numbers up to the Shakhtar game. PSV beat Groningen 5–1 on August 23. They beat Utrecht 6–1 on August 30. They won at Ajax 3–1. Then they conceded at home in Europe.
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The pattern is not new. PSV have had a rare run without a home clean sheet, and the analysis points at exactly one improvement area: defending (5). Bosz's teams have always traded risk for goals, and at Eredivisie level it works. Against better European opposition it gets punished. Driessen's "disgrace" framing is harsh, but the underlying complaint is fair: PSV controlled the ball against Shakhtar and still could not keep them out (15).
The good news is at centre-back. Lutsharel Geertruida has been called the best centre-back in the Eredivisie after his display against Ajax (6). That is the piece PSV need to make the defensive numbers look different.
Ajax are not going away
Ajax beat Fortuna Sittard 1–5 on Saturday, a week after losing to PSV (7). Thilo Kehrer scored and assisted on his first start, and Julian Brandt scored a fine goal (7) (20) (21).
Míchel Sánchez said he was pleased Ajax created so many chances and that they recovered well from the PSV defeat (17). That is the point. PSV's win at the Johan Cruijff ArenA bought them breathing room in the title race, and Ajax spent it scoring five in Sittard. Second place, thirteen points, five played is a strong start. It is not a cushion.
What to watch against Sparta Rotterdam
PSV host Sparta Rotterdam on Sunday at 20:00 CEST, and Bosz is expected to make two changes (4) (10). Mauro Júnior returns from suspension, with Sano, Fernandez and Til likely behind Pepi, Perisic and Van Bommel (4).
Watch two things. First, the centre-back pairing: if Geertruida keeps his level, the Shakhtar wound heals quickly. Second, Esmir Bajraktarević, who is fighting for minutes and is expected to be benched again despite his decisive goal against Ajax (2). Then a trip to FC Twente on September 20. Two league games before PSV have to think about Europe again.
