PSV Eindhoven surrendered a half-time lead against Granada to start the Europa League group stage with a poor 2-1 defeat.

Roger Schmidt brought Mohamed Ihattaren into the starting eleven along with Jorrit Hendrix after Cody Gakpo and Pablo Rosario came down with covid.

Granada gave PSV a scare in the first minute with Jorge Molina firing the ball over the bar. After that, PSV improved and Donyell Malen should have scored after an excellent Mario Gotze cross.

On the stroke of half-time, PSV did take the lead with Denzel Dumfries heading a free-kick into the path of Gotze, who smashed the ball into the net. His second goal in two games.

However, Gotze did not appear for the second half with Nick Viergever coming on. The change saw PSV surrender control of the game, and Granada equalised in the 57th minute. Molina was left unmarked to strike at the back post with the ball hitting the bar and then Yvon Mvogo before finding the net.

Ten minutes later, PSV’s defence couldn’t stop Machís charging forward before hammering an unstoppable shot into the top corner.

Malen came close to finding an equaliser quickly but the Granada goalkeeper Rui Silva and the post prevented the striker. That was the closest PSV came as Granada held on to claim the win.

Next week, PSV will need to improve when they face Omonia Nicosia in Cyprus.




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