ten-man psv hold off atlético published: wednesday 24 february 2016, 22.39cet psv 0-0 atlético the home side's first knockout appearance since 2006/07 ended in a creditable first-leg draw in eindhoven despite gastón pereiro's second-half red card.
ten-man psv eindhoven hold atlético madrid in absorbing first leg luciano vietto and antoine griezmann miss best first-half chances for atlético psv lose gastón pereiro to second yellow card in 68th minute dutch side without win in a spring knockout tie since 2012 second leg takes place at estadio vicente calderón on 15 march psv eindhoven delivered a fine defensive effort to restrict atlético madrid to a goalless draw in the first leg of their round of 16 tie.
atlético were held to only their second goalless draw in the liga this season on sunday, and again their attack was not as clinical as it might have been in the opening period. four minutes in, gabi's long pass from the back exposed psv's high line and left luciano vietto bearing down on goal; the forward lifted the ball over the fast-advancing jeroen zoet but jeffrey bruma raced back to clear off the line.
psv, in the knockout rounds for the first time since 2006/07, were shorn of the suspended luuk de jong and in the striker's absence the dutch champions' attacking play lacked a focal point. atlético had no such concerns and sprang the home defence again on the half-hour, koke slipping a pass through to antoine griezmann; zoet stood tall and blocked with his left hand.
the contest continued to be even as the second half progressed, although the balance looked to have tipped atlético's way when home forward gastón pereiro collected a second yellow card; within 60 seconds, gabi was testing zoet.
psv, however, reorganised quickly and – though unable to add to their three home wins in the group stage – ensured atlético found no way through.
key player: jeroen zoet (psv) the home goalkeeper was expertly protected by the well-organised side in front of him, but was still required to make four saves. the undoubted pick was from griezmann, the no1 standing up as long as possible before repelling the clipped attempt with an extended left hand.
psv's defensive excellence the eredivisie leaders came into the match having kept three successive clean sheets and, though their high defensive line was breached twice in the opening half-hour, first bruma then zoet came to the rescue. thereafter psv defended superbly – getting men behind the ball and forcing atlético out wide – and when the visitors did get through, they produced some superb saving blocks.
atlético's attacking travails diego simeone's side have now managed only one goal in their last three outings and struggled to unpick psv, even with a numerical advantage for the game's final quarter. vietto and griezmann had the best opportunities but the argentinian has not scored since 8 december while griezmann has just one goal in his last eight appearances – and neither finished with much conviction.
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