PSV secured their first Eredivisie victory since late January, overcoming sc Heerenveen 2-1 just four days after suffering a humiliating 1-7 defeat to Arsenal in the Champions League.
This much-needed win broke a streak of four league matches without a victory.
Dest Returns After Long Injury Layoff
A key highlight of the match was the return of Sergiño Dest, who stepped onto the field in the 68th minute to a rousing ovation after nearly eleven months out due to a torn ACL.
With this win, PSV temporarily reduced their gap to league leaders Ajax to five points, though the Amsterdam club was set to play PEC Zwolle the following day.
PSV Seeking Redemption
The match carried additional weight for Peter Bosz’s squad, as PSV had suffered their second league defeat of the season in Heerenveen back in December, a result that had marked the beginning of their slump.
Determined to avoid a repeat, PSV started aggressively. Noa Lang and Luuk de Jong both had early chances, but De Jong, shockingly, missed an open goal.
“Pro Shots: Luuk de Jong reacts in frustration after his missed opportunity.”
Despite their dominance, PSV struggled to convert their chances, with Heerenveen goalkeeper Andries Noppert proving difficult to beat.
He made crucial saves against Ismael Saibari and Noa Lang, the latter attempting a long-range swerving shot.
Saibari Breaks the Deadlock
Just before halftime, Saibari finally put PSV ahead, tapping in a well-placed assist from Guus Til.
“ANP: Ismael Saibari celebrates after scoring against sc Heerenveen.”
PSV resumed the second half with renewed energy, immediately creating a big chance for Til, but he was denied by Noppert. Ten minutes later, however, Til found the net, receiving a pass from Jerdy Schouten before firing a left-footed shot into the far corner.
Nervous Finish After Heerenveen’s Goal
The biggest cheer of the night came in the 67th minute when Dest returned to action, playing his first game since April 24, 2024.
Despite controlling the match, PSV faced a tense ending when Levi Smans pulled one back for Heerenveen with 18 minutes to go.
This led to visible frustration from Peter Bosz, who watched nervously as his team held on for their first league win in nearly three months.
PSV will now focus on stabilizing their form as they continue to chase Ajax in the Eredivisie title race.
