PLAYER RATINGS | PSV 1-0 Lens: Luuk de Jong allows PSV to leapfrog Lens in feisty encounter

UEFA Champions League, 08,11/2023

Luuk de Jong got the only goal in a feisty encounter between PSV Eindhoven and RC Lens, which sees the former leapfrog the latter into second place in their UEFA Champions League group. 

In torrential conditions in Eindhoven, Lens began brightly. Florian Sotoca set Elye Wahi through on goal, but he was ultimately caught by Serginio Dest before getting a shot away. However, the first half would ultimately belong to PSV, who went ahead thanks to de Jong’s header. 

A flurry of half chances fell PSV’s way, but they lacked the clinical edge and didn’t test Samba. Lens incrementally re-established themselves in the tie and had a huge chance to level the scores, but Deiver Machado couldn’t keep his composure when steaming in unmarked at the back-post and blazed a pass across goal over. 

Lens began to grow frustrated and received six yellow cards in quick succession on either side of half-time, leaving Les Sang et Or’s whole defence walking a tightrope. As the game entered the final stages, gaps started to appear. PSV had played the game at a high intensity and they began to flag. 

Lensois errors did afford the Eredivisie side chances, however, with Johan Bakayoko blazing over after a poor Samba ball out from the back. However, the best chances for Lens, they just couldn’t take them. Morgan Guilavogui struck the foot of the post with a driven shot. The rebound fell to Angelo Fulgini, who couldn’t turn the ball into the back of the net. Kevin Danso then saw his header cleared off the line by Malik Tillman before Guilavogui received two yellows in quick succession. The one goal was enough for PSV to take the three points and leapfrog Lens into second.

Brice Samba – 5

Facundo Medina – 4

Kevin Danso – 3