PSV 2-0 Zulte Waregem
Champions League 3rd Qualifying Round 1st Leg
Philips Stadion
30 July 2013
A rare visit to a Champions League match but at an old favourite, the Philips Stadion, home of arguably the most famous works team in World Football; Philips Sport Vereniging (Sports Association of Philips) or as we all know them, simply PSV.
Whilst the home team are one of the big names of European football, the visitors are one of the new kids on the block. They were formed by the merger of Zultse VV and KSV Waregem in 2001, some 13 years after their hosts reigned Europe and 9 years after the creation of the gravy train that is the competition they now find themselves in. It is easy to be indifferent to the ECL, especially the qualifying rounds, as it seems that it has been here forever and the same teams compete in it every year. So, seeing the reaction to the players emerging from the tunnel from the 1,500 Belgians to my right, reminded me that to some clubs, this is still a really big deal.
And it was perhaps this that eventually caused ZW's downfall as their players did not do themselves justice. I have seen them play many times and they know that they simply did not turn up.
But take nothing away from PSV. The summer has seen a big change around following the departure of Dick Advocaat as coach and his replacement by club legend Phillip Cocu. With it came a change in approach as big names were sold on (Strootman, Mertens and Lens) Mark van Bommel retired and the club looked to youth. That's not to say that PSV have not spent, but the focus has been on younger players such as Jozefzoon, Bruma, and the future Jewel in the crown Adam Maher.
Given all the changes it was amazing to see this team gel so well from the start. They literally tore into ZW, hitting the post in as early as the 2nd minute. The Belgians showed odd glimpses of the attacking skill that saw them finish 2nd in the Jupiler league last year, but perhaps the best news for them was that they only trail to two well taken second half goals.
And so the tie is still just alive as it moves onto Brussels and the home of RSC Anderlecht (as the quaint Regenboogstadion is deemed unsuitable by authorities). ZW know they will have to play alot better if their first European adventure is to last any longer.
Whilst the home team are one of the big names of European football, the visitors are one of the new kids on the block. They were formed by the merger of Zultse VV and KSV Waregem in 2001, some 13 years after their hosts reigned Europe and 9 years after the creation of the gravy train that is the competition they now find themselves in. It is easy to be indifferent to the ECL, especially the qualifying rounds, as it seems that it has been here forever and the same teams compete in it every year. So, seeing the reaction to the players emerging from the tunnel from the 1,500 Belgians to my right, reminded me that to some clubs, this is still a really big deal.
And it was perhaps this that eventually caused ZW's downfall as their players did not do themselves justice. I have seen them play many times and they know that they simply did not turn up.
But take nothing away from PSV. The summer has seen a big change around following the departure of Dick Advocaat as coach and his replacement by club legend Phillip Cocu. With it came a change in approach as big names were sold on (Strootman, Mertens and Lens) Mark van Bommel retired and the club looked to youth. That's not to say that PSV have not spent, but the focus has been on younger players such as Jozefzoon, Bruma, and the future Jewel in the crown Adam Maher.
Given all the changes it was amazing to see this team gel so well from the start. They literally tore into ZW, hitting the post in as early as the 2nd minute. The Belgians showed odd glimpses of the attacking skill that saw them finish 2nd in the Jupiler league last year, but perhaps the best news for them was that they only trail to two well taken second half goals.
And so the tie is still just alive as it moves onto Brussels and the home of RSC Anderlecht (as the quaint Regenboogstadion is deemed unsuitable by authorities). ZW know they will have to play alot better if their first European adventure is to last any longer.