PSV Eindhoven have moved up to second in Group B after an excellent 2-0 win over Wolfsburg in the Philips Stadion.
- By Michael Bell
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PSV may have started their Champions League campaign with a win over Manchester United, but the defeats to CSKA Moscow and Wolfsburg had left Phillip Cocu’s side bottom of the group.
The coach stated before the game that they needed to win the match and PSV created the best chances in an even first half, with Jeffrey Bruma forcing Diego Benaglio into a great save with a long shot, while a poor pass from Davy Propper to Luciano Narsingh stopped a threatening counter-attack.
At the other end Dutch striker Bas Dost was closest to netting for the Bundesliga side, but his effort at the near post was parried by Jeroen Zoet.
At the beginning of the second half Adam Maher spurned a good chance off an excellent pass from Luuk de Jong, but on 55 minutes PSV did take the lead. De Jong played a perfectly weighted ball for Jurgen Locadia to race through on goal, and the attacker slotted calmly past Benaglio.
Cocu threw on Jorrit Hendrix and Nicolas Isimat-Mirin as he moved to a 5-3-2 formation to sure up the defence, but the home side continued to attack Wolfsburg, and just before the end Andres Guardado found De Jong in the box, and the striker lobbed Benaglio to make it 2-0.
PSV now move above Wolfsburg on goal difference into second with an away match with group leaders Manchester United and a home tie with CSKA Moscow to come.
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Nice job. Luuk De Jong is a very good striker. He is not world class but that’s okay. He is doing very well in Holland. He lacks pace which is why he can’t get to the next level. He has very good skill. Hopefully they can beat CSKA at home. If Man U can get a draw at Wolfsburg and CSKA can draw too PSV might make it through to the next round. Cocu is still learning and I like that he has PSV playing z more complete game ie… going to 5-3-2 after up 1-0. Its De Boer, Koeman or him that can bring the National side back to respectability with two of the three it would be good. I am sorry but Blind is not the right guy. Being a defender and seeing the current National side abysmal he is not reaching the players. But that’s another topic. Good Job PSV!!!