UEFA Europa League : PSV vs Real Sociedad players rating as the match ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw

PSV traded tackles against Real Sociedad at Philips Stadion for their home game in the UEFA Europa League. Playing their opening game of the tournament, both the teams would be looking forward to bag a win first up and gain momentum in the competition.

A home game was a huge deal for PSV as they’d have their crowd backing them. However, Real Sociedad are tough to beat. As the whistle blew, the two teams went after the ball with sheer determination. After 31 minutes, Mario Götze scored the opening goal for PSV to give them the lead. However, a couple of minutes later, Adnan Januzaj scored the equaliser and was followed with another goal by Alexander Isak, five minutes later to make it 2-1 in favour of Real Sociedad.

The pressure started building on PSV in the second-half and Cody Gakpo released all of it by scoring the equaliser off Götze’s assist. The match pretty much moved on the same into the final minutes and eventually ended in a 2-2 draw. It was indeed a special game for PSV.

Let’s have a look at how they players have performed in today’s match-up.

PSV

Joël Drommel (GK) (6.3/10) : A decent job done by Drommel in today’s game. He did make a brilliant save from inside the box and a couple of clearences to keep the ball away from the box but couldn’t save the two goals he let past him.

Phillipp Mwene (6.7/10) : Mwene seemed to be really quick with his feet and especially when he won three tackle battles with his skillwork. He did an exceptional job winning ground duels and keeping possession to keep the ball moving.

André Ramalho Silva (6.3/10) : Apart from failing at long balls and giving away possession several times, Silva was invincible at Ariel duels and he also blocked an incoming shot inside the box and cleared a likely possibility.

Armando Obispo (6.4/10) : Obispo did decent with his performance today. He did make some good clearances and interceptions while he failed at keeping the ball in play and lost possession several times. He did have an on target attempt at goal but was saved by the keeper.

Philipp Max (6.1/10) : A below average performance by Max in today’s match-up. Out of thirteen ground duel attempts, he just won five. He was excellent at tackling and winning balls but he lost possession almost every other time he had the ball.

Olivier Boscagli (6.7/10) : One of the better players of the team and he didn’t fail to contribute in this match too. He was fairly neat at defending but he failed at providing long balls. He was miserable at completing clean passes. Although, he did really good with ground duels and ariel battles.

Marco van Ginkel (6.1/10) : Apart from winning the single interception, Marco had a shot at goal and was on target too. However, it was denied by the keeper. Marco wasn’t the best example as the captain as he lost 8 out of 9 ground duels and a similar situation in the Ariel duels.

Noni Madueke (6.7/10) : Just the 63 minutes then for Noni Madueke. He was really well with ground duels and seemed very confident to take on any challenge that came his way. He also had two attempts at goal but was way off target.

Mario Götze (8.9/10) : Götze seemed aggressive right from the get go and proved his fierce nature by scoring the opening goal for PSV in the 31st minute and also gave his side the lead. He also assisted the second goal which came as a huge equaliser for PSV who were down by one goal in the second-half.

Cody Gakpo (7.2/10) : Cody created a huge opportunity and converted it in style. He received an assist from the earlier goalscorer Mario Götze and equalised it for his side in front of their home crowd. A great finish in the back of the net.

Eran Zahavi (6.5/10) : Not much to look forward to in today’s game by Eran Zahavi. The only attempt he had at goal was on target but denied by the keeper. He failed poorly at both, ground and ariel duels.

Substitutes

Jordan Teze (6.7/10) : In just 22 minutes, Jordan had an eventful game. Jordan had two attempts at goal with both being on target. One of them was a big goal scoring opportunity but failed to convert.

Bruma (6.9/10) : Just the 9 minutes of gameplay for Bruma. However, he looked super active on the pitch and he did attempt twice for goal but got his shots blocked in defence.

Ryan Thomas (6.4/10) : He lost all his ground duels while he kept going to win the ball ariel. Didn’t find all the luck possible but did a fair job at it.

Yorbe Vertessen (6.2/10) : In just 27 minutes of play, Yorbe lost possession multiple times in his own half and even failed at capturing the ball. He didn’t do good at all when it came to ground duels.

Carlos Vinícius (6.3/10) : Vinícius too had several failed attempts when it came to ground duels. He lost all of them while also losing all the Ariel challenges. He did look comfortable with clean passes in the end.

Real Sociedad

Álex Remiro (GK) (5.9/10) : Remiro certainly had the worst possible game as he was really bad with his passing and despite saving thrice inside the box, he conceded two really good looking goals.

Joseba Zaldúa (7.6/10) : Joseba created a huge big chance and assisted the first equaliser to Adnan Januzaj. He gave the ball in really well to the forwards. Apart from that, he was excellent with his defensive attributes.

Aritz Elustondo (7.2/10) : Artiz was in sublime form while defending. He made as many as eight clearences and also won four tackles. Inside the box, he made sure the incoming shots were dealt with outside and steered away from the box. He did really good at blocking two of them out.

Robin Le Normand (7/10) : Robin was invincible at Ariel duels and won each and every one of the challenges he offered. He also made seven valuable clearences in order to get his team on top. Although, he got substituted tho in the 61st minute.

Aihen Muñoz (5.7/10) : His performance in this game was as bad as it could be. He kept failing the Ariel and ground challenges and he lost possession on 13 occasions. He tried his best but couldn’t do big enough to make an impact.

Ander Guevara (6.5/10) : Ander definitely was good with ariel duels but not so much with ground duels. Although the he did a fair job at defending and keeping the ball moving towards the opposing box.

Martín Zubimendi (6.4/10) : Martín had may challenges coming his ways and he failed one after the other when he went for the Ariel or duel challenge. He also had an on target attempt but was denied by the goalkeeper.

Mikel Merino (7.3/10) : Certainly the busiest player on the field after looking how his team has performed. Mikel won as many as 14 ground duels of 20 while he also was excellent at Ariel duels. He tried keeping the ball to himself but lost possession on 20 occasions.

Adnan Januzaj (7.9/10) : The saviour of the night indeed was Adnan for Real Sociedad. He scored the first and opening goal for his team to equalise the earlier 1-0 scoreline. Adnan had another attempt at goal but was way off target. He also loved challenging duels and won almost every duel that came his way.

Alexander Isak (7.4/10) : It was Isak who gathered the strength to score the second goal minutes after his team scored the equaliser. With that remarkable finish in the back of the net, Isak made it 2-1 favouring PSV.

Mikel Oyarzabal (6/10) : The captain would’ve certainly loved to have a better time on field and would’ve felt better if he made more confident approaches. Oyarzabal had one shot and despite being on target he was denied. Mikel also missed one of the most greatest chances that could turn the course of the game.

Substitutes

Andoni Gorosabel (6.7/10) : Andoni did a good job with defence as and when the ball came towards him. He did make some good moves and looked confident.

Jon Pacheco Dozagarat (6.6/10) : Jon looked really confident since he came inside to play. He did a commendable job at the ground duels while he won a couple of Ariel ones.

Cristo Romero (6.5/10) : Didn’t get too much time on the pitch but Romero did block a crucial shot in the defence and cleared it away before an attack happened.

Igor Zubeldia (6.5/10) : Igor didn’t have much going on with him as it always takes time for a substitute to fill in the shoes of the replacement. Igor did get some good clearences and good tackle wins.

Alexander Sørloth (6.5/10) : Alexander does seem to be a footballer with strong personality but he didn’t get to do much in this game as there weren’t too many opportunities.

ALSO READ | UEFA Europa League: Galatasaray vs Lazio Player Ratings as Galatasaray win thanks to a comical Strakosha own goal