EINDHOVEN--PSV Eindhoven opened their Europa League campaign with an entertaining 2-2 draw with Real Sociedad in the Philips Stadium.
PSV manager Roger Schmidt decided to name the same eleven that defeated AZ Alkmaar 3-0 at the weekend with Carlos Vinicius starting on the bench.
The Basque side performed well in the competition last season only to take a hiding off Manchester United, so will be hoping to go deeper this campaign and maybe even emulate Villarreal and Sevilla, who won the previous two Europe League editions.
“La Real” sat fourth in La Liga heading into the game, having taken nine points from their first four matches. They are a point behind Atletico Madrid, Valencia and Real Madrid.
PSV are top of the Dutch Eredivisie at this moment, two points clear of second-placed Ajax Amsterdam with a maximum 12 points from their opening four games.
In Thursday’s Europa League clash Eran Zahavi went close in the eighth minute but his strike was just kept from the top corner by Sociedad goalkeeper Álex Remiro.
The keeper spilled a cross from Noni Madueke into the path of Mario Götze in the 31st minute and the midfielder fired PSV in front.
The lead only lasted two minutes before Adnan Januzaj equalised for the visitors with a nice finish. Former Willem II striker Alexander Isak then gave Real Sociedad the lead six minutes later.
In the 54th minute, Götze found Cody Gakpo and the PSV winger finished calmly to make it 2-2.
Both sides then went in search for a winner and big chances fell at both ends in a frantic end to the game. Jordan Teze hit the post for PSV while at the other end, PSV goalkeeper Joël Drommel had to prevent Mikel Oyarzabal.
PSV will now face Feyenoord Rotterdam at home in the Eredivisie on Sunday. Sturm Graz is the next European opponent for Schmidt’s side.
