PSV Eindhoven advanced to the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League on Thursday evening thanks in part to Mario Götze: The 2014 World Cup winner was instrumental in scoring the first two goals in a never-threatening 4-0 win in Copenhagen.
With Götze and Max in the starting eleven, PSV Eindhoven started with a lot of pressure. From the beginning, the Dutch dominated the game, but without being dangerous. However, PSV were efficient and took the lead with their first shot on goal: Götze served Zahavi in the penalty area, whose harmless shot slipped through the arms of keeper Johnsson (11th).
The Copenhagen team then became more offensive, but the visitors continued to dominate the game. Especially the pressing caused problems for the Danes. Despite this superiority, there was hardly any danger in front of the FCK goal.
Max assists for Götze
It was only in the closing stages of the first half that the Dutch turned up the heat and went 2-0 up after an interplay between the two Germans. Ex-Augsburg player Max’s low cross was pushed into the empty net by Götze at the second post (38th). As Gakpo only hit the crossbar a turn of the hand later, it went into the break with this result.
Copenhagen coach Jess Thorup reacted to the deficit and changed to a three-man defence – but the Danes did not become more dangerous. Apart from two shots by Bardghji (53rd) and Vavro (71st), which flew past the goal, nothing came of it despite the efforts in the second half.
Zahavi and Madueke go up in the closing stages
Due to the harmlessness of the hosts, PSV took the tempo out in view of their comfortable lead and only managed the result. However, the Dutch showed their class again in the final phase. After a good combination via Götze, Veerman and Doan, Zahavi scored the 3:0 (79th).
After that, both coaches made a lot of changes. Among others, Madueke came on and scored in injury time for the 4-0 final score (90.+1). Eindhoven thus remain unbeaten in their eleventh consecutive match and look forward to Nyon on Friday, where their quarter-final opponents will be drawn.