Pregame
Maccabi arrived at the Philips stadium in Eindhoven for the Conference League Round of 32 first leg against PSV which is the second knockout phase match in as many years.
Maccabi’s coach Mladen Krstajic made two changes from the side that beat Hapoel in the Tel Aviv derby at the weekend as Matan Baltaxa slotted in on the left side of defence at the expense of Ofir Davidzada. Enric Saborit and Idan Nachmias lined up as the two central defenders in front of goalkeeper Daniel Peretz while Andre Geraldes completed the back-four at right back. Dan Glazer, at the anchorman role, led the team out wearing the captain’s armband with Eden Shamir alongside him in midfield engine room. Dan Biton who dished out two assists and Gabi Kanichowsky who scored a goal both kept their while Djorje Jovanovic who scored the injury time winner stepped in for Eylon Almog as Stipe Perica’s attacking partner.
First Half
The electeix atmosphere at the Philips stadium didn’t show any sign that only a third of the 35,000 capacity were allowed in. The hosts looked dominant right from the start while Maccabi tried adapting to the pace of PSV. The deadlock was broken 11 minutes from the start as Mauro Junior and Cody Gakpo exchanged passes down the left flank before the 22-year-old cut inside and sent a low shot that beat Daniel Peretz at the near post. Two minutes later Peretz pulled a stunning save to keep out Noni Madueke’s powerful close range header. While Maccabi tried to get in the game, PSV came close to double their lead only for Peretz to save another header this time from Erick Gutierrez. In the 26th minute Maccabi reached their best chance after Eden Shamir was fouled on the corner of the area before Dan Biton curled the free kick forcing Joel Drommel to push the ball out for a corner.
In the 37th minute Dan Glazer was booked by Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg following a tackle on the edge of the area on Noni Madueke. Eran Zahavi stepped up to take the free kick but his curled powerful shot narrowly missed the target.
Second Half
PSV continued to look dangerous going forward as Madueke snapped a shot from inside the area that struck the side netting on 53. Krstajic made his first changes in the 62nd minute as Sheran Yeini replaced Shamir in midfield while Brandley Kuwas came in for Djordje Jovanovic.
The introduction of Kuwas revived Maccabi’s game as the Curaçao international broke into the area in the 69th minute but had his initial effort blocked before his attempt ofna cross was caught by the keeper. Zahavi flashed a shot that rolled across the face of Peretz’s goal in the 72nd minute. Maccabi’s coach made another double change a minute later as Glazer and Biton bowed out and were replaced by Eyal Golasa and Tal Ben Chaim.
In the 82nd minute, Matan Baltaxa broke into the area and was brought down by a PSV defender but his claims for a penalty were waved by the referee. Ofir Davidzada was introduced for Baltaxa on 87 replaced Baltaxa as the left back picked an injury in the closing stages.
Just before the fourth official indicated three minutes of added time, PSV came close as a cross sailed across the face of Peretz’s goal but luckily couldn’t find anyone who could convert the ball home.
